Martin Harley will fly out to England with a major milestone in his pocket—his first Australian Group 1 win.

Harley piloted Cool Archie to victory in the J J Atkins (1600m) at Eagle Farm, adding to his top-level triumphs in France, the UK and Ireland.

Cool Archie ($4.80) held off favourite Hidden Achievement ($4.60) by 1¼ lengths, with outsider Call Da Vinci ($31) a further half-length back in third.

“I’m on a plane tonight going back for Royal Ascot,” Harley said.
“And I might fly that plane myself after that.”

The Irishman, who returned to Australia and settled in Brisbane, bounced back from a broken neck sustained at Doomben ahead of the 2023 Magic Millions Carnival.

“I think the horse has done most of the talking,” he said.
“He’s taken a big step forward each run… he’s got a good will to win.”

It was also a maiden Group 1 win for Chris and Corey Munce, the father-and-son training duo.

“I’m a little speechless,” Corey admitted.
“From a slightly better draw, it worked out beautifully today.”