Martin Harley will jet off to England with an extra spring in his step after guiding Cool Archie to a career-defining victory in the J J Atkins (1600m) at Eagle Farm, notching his first Australian Group 1 win.
The experienced hoop, who previously claimed Group 1 wins in the UK, Ireland, and France, added another major to his international resume when Cool Archie ($4.80) held off the late challenge from $4.60 betting favourite Hidden Achievement, scoring by 1-¼ lengths. Longshot Call Da Vinci ($31) finished third.
“I’m on a plane tonight going back for Royal Ascot,” Harley said.
“And I might fly that plane myself after that.”
After a stint in Victoria in 2019 and a return to the UK, Harley based himself in Brisbane. His journey back to the top wasn’t without adversity—he suffered a broken neck in a fall at Doomben ahead of the 2023 Magic Millions Carnival, his second such injury following one in the UK ten years earlier.
Harley made a successful return 12 months later and Saturday’s Group 1 win was the ultimate reward.
“I think the horse has done most of the talking,” Harley said.
“He’s taken a big step forward each run and that’s what the good ones do.
“To transform from a Heavy 10 to a Good 4 there today, which I knew he would handle, I never had any doubt in that.
“I just watched the previous races, and I trusted my horse to pick up, but nothing had been making up bundles of ground, so I wanted to try and be that pair or two closer today.
“We got a lovely spot, a good rhythm, and I ended up getting there too soon but he’s got a good will to win, and he wanted it.”
The victory was also a Group 1 first for the father-son training team of Chris and Corey Munce. Chris, best known for winning the Melbourne Cup, has transitioned into training, bringing Corey into the fold this season.
“I’m a little speechless, as you’d probably expect, but I’ll try and keep it together,” Corey Munce said.
“I felt very comfortable throughout the run.
“I said (during the race) we’re right here, and if he’s good enough he can win.
“That was a bit of the worry, as he’d come from a long way back the other day from an awkward draw and we were just hoping from a slightly better draw he would be that touch closer, and it worked out beautifully today.”
Punters who got on Cool Archie early celebrated big wins. If you’re looking to follow Group 1 form lines or place your next wager, check out the best betting sites Australia for expert odds, offers, and betting features.
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