Harlem Queen may not have continued on the path expected after her three-year-old season, yet following a seamless preparation leading into her current campaign, handler Nathan Doyle remains hopeful she can rediscover steady performances.
The mare kicks off again in Saturday’s Dark Jewel Classic (1400m) at Scone, and although she thrives over extended trips later on, her advantageous barrier five draw has Doyle expecting a solid comeback.
“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.”
Runner-up in the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) during 2024, Harlem Queen also claimed fourth in the year’s Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) and VRC Oaks (2500m).
That said, her later runs have varied, highlighted by a Group 2 Emancipation Stakes (1500m) podium finish a year back and a win in the Listed Ladies Day Cup (1600m) at Hawkesbury last November.
Doyle notes the mare dealt with minor setbacks previously that required attention, though this prep has been issue-free.
“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 aims to dip into black-type company via Mercy Me, entering the Denise’s Joy Stakes (1100m) for fillies after concluding her summer with three straight victories.
Deliberately spelled for this weekend’s highlight, Doyle anticipates she launches her new prep strongly like her previous finish.
“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 alongside Mercy Me form part of Doyle’s three stakes contenders, joined by Churchill’s Choice in Friday’s Scone Cup (1600m).
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