TAB AUSTRALIAN CUP

(GROUP 1)

JAMIE Kah’s transition from the leading rider in Adelaide to applying her craft in Melbourne has paid off handsomely, combining with the British-bred Harlem to win the A$1.5 million Australian Cup for co-trainers David and Ben Hayes, and Tom Dabernig at Flemington on Saturday.

Strangely friendless in the betting at $31, the winner of last year’s edition of the 2,000-metre Group 1 pounced with 300 metres to run to wrestle the lead from the Savabeel mare Shillelagh, consigning her to second by a nose as the Poet’s Voice gelding Trap For Fools grabbed third.

Rekindling, back racing for the first time since his Melbourne Cup win, was eased down, last of the 15 starters, 15 lengths astern.

“That was just the best feeling in the world,” said 23-year-old Kah who has won four of the past six Adelaide Premierships. “I thought he was a really good chance and Ben (Hayes) said he was the toughest horse and he wouldn’t give in and that’s what he was out there.”

Harlem will now be set for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and a showdown with Winx.

“He showed incredible fight, he was beaten twice and kicked back,” said David Hayes.

“He goes well at Flemington and the 2,000 metres, and it was a great ride by Jamie, an 11 out of 10 ride.”