Harlem Queen hasn’t quite followed the career trajectory she appeared to be on at three, but off the back of a smooth build-up to her latest preparation, trainer Nathan Doyle is optimistic she can regain some consistency to her form.
The mare resumes in Saturday’s Dark Jewel Classic (1400m) at Scone and while she will appreciate longer distances deeper into her campaign, from an ideal draw in barrier five Doyle is anticipating a positive return.
“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.”
Placed in the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) in 2024, Harlem Queen went on to finish fourth in that year’s Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) and the VRC Oaks (2500m).
However, her subsequent efforts have been mixed, with a Group 2 Emancipation Stakes (1500m) placing 12 months ago and a victory in the Listed Ladies Day Cup (1600m) at Hawkesbury in November the highlights.
Doyle says the mare has had a few issues they’ve needed to manage in the past, but has been trouble-free this time in.
“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 will test the black-type waters with Mercy Me, who tackles the Denise’s Joy Stakes (1100m) for the fillies after ending her summer campaign with a hat-trick of wins.
She was purposefully freshened with Saturday’s feature in mind and Doyle is hoping she can kick off her latest preparation in the vein she rounded out her last.
“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.”
Harlem Queen and Mercy Me will be among a trio of stakes runners for Doyle, along with Churchill’s Choice in Friday’s Scone Cup (1600m).
