Cox Plate ‘ will suit Harlem’
DAVID Hayes is leaning towards a weight- for- age program rather than chasing the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups with Australian Cup winner Harlem, who could end up in a Cox Plate clash with super mare Winx.
Harlem will resume in next Saturday’s $ 200,000 Group 2 P. B Lawrence Stakes ( 1400m) at Caulfield, as will his stablemate, last year’s Caulfield Cup winner Boom Time.
Hayes said Harlem’s jumpouts indicate he is in for his best Australian campaign, as he appeared to be a length or two better.
Hayes said the plan for Harlem was to stay on the weightfor- age path, with the Cox Plate his main aim.
“He’ll be entered for Caulfield Cup, but his form in Australia is 2000m,” Hayes said.
“He’s a weight- for- age horse now. He was brought to be a Melbourne Cup, but every time he gets to 2400m he weakens.
“If he’s in form it’s hard to pass up a Caulfield Cup handicap but he’s run one of the fastest 2000m at Caulfield and at Flemington ever.”
Hayes said he expected Harlem to run a forward race in the Lawrence Stakes but would improve with the run.
Boom Time will also resume and stay on a weight- forage program until he defends his Caulfield Cup crown.
It will be a star- studded affair, with Darren Weir possibly having seven runners in the race. Weir said he was contemplating backing up Aurie’s Star Stakes winner Voodoo Lad in the Lawrence Stakes.
Weir could also have Black Heart Bart and Humidor, Kings Will Dream, Danon Liberty, Big Duke and Red Cardinal, who will all resume in that race. Weir said those six gallopers would all work at Coleraine today and he would make a decision after he watched them work as to whether they would run. the best over