After a three-year-old phase full of promise, Harlem Queen has faltered somewhat, though Nathan Doyle’s optimism grows from her recent uninterrupted training block.
The mare begins her comeback in the Dark Jewel Classic (1400m) this Saturday at Scone, favoring greater distances in time but ideally placed from gate five for Doyle’s positive outlook.
“The 1400 is probably a perfect starting point,” Doyle said.
“I don’t want any less of a trip than that, she’d probably get run off her feet. But she’s on a big spacious track in Scone, she’s had two decent trials, and she’s as forward as we can get her first up.”
Securing a placing in 2024 Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m), Harlem Queen followed with fourths that year in Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) and VRC Oaks (2500m).
Post those peaks, results wavered, with key moments a Group 2 Emancipation Stakes (1500m) rostrum spot annually ago and Listed Ladies Day Cup (1600m) score at Hawkesbury November time.
The trainer reveals past minor ailments influenced her program, unlike the seamless current phase.
“She’s a horse that’s had a few little niggles along the way, so that’s why she didn’t have too long a preparation (last spring), and we just elected to pull up stumps and give her a break,” Doyle said.
“Touch wood, this time in everything’s been quite smooth sailing with her, and she seems in a good spot. I can’t fault her.
“If she’s anywhere near her best, she’ll be running well.”
Doyle ventures Mercy Me into the fillies’ Denise’s Joy Stakes (1100m) seeking black type, post her three-win summer streak.
Purposefully rested targeting this, he hopes for a launch echoing her last campaign’s end.
“She probably disappointed me earlier because I always said to the owners she was a filly with a stack of ability, and I didn’t expect her to get beaten at her first start and I didn’t expect her to be beaten first-up (in December),” he said.
“That was a bit of a head-scratcher, but obviously she’s now gone to the races and proven what I’ve said to the owners and what I’ve thought, which is a bit of a relief.
“She’s got two trials under her belt after a little bit of a freshen up, and 1100 at Scone is a perfect race for her. She deserves her chance at stakes class.”
Doyle’s stakes trio features Harlem Queen, Mercy Me plus Churchill’s Choice contesting Friday Scone Cup (1600m).
Secure the best betting markets for the race ahead of Harlem Queen’s Dark Jewel Classic attempt.
