Ladbrokes J J Atkins (Group 1)

“IT’S been almost 10 years to the day that I had my last Group 1 winner at Royal Ascot so I’ll take the anniversary over here. I’m on a plane tonight going back for Royal Ascot and I might fly the plane myself after that,” said Martin Harley when interviewed after winning his first Group 1 in Australia aboard Cool Archie in the J.J. Atkins over 1,600 metres Eagle Farm last Saturday.

The Co. Donegal 35-year-old rider has been on the Chris and Corey Munce-trained two-year-old colt for all but his racetrack debut, his eight rides yielding five straight wins that were capped off with the final juvenile feature of the current racing season.

The second favourite in the 16-horse field, Cool Archie was parked just behind the leaders three off the fence and out of traffic.

Wound up on rounding the bend, the Cool Aza Beel colt looked threatened till the final 100 metres, where his superior ability took over giving Harley time to salute the crowd.

Breezing away, Cool Archie won by over a length from the I Am Invincible colt Hidden Achievement with the aptly named Under The Louvre gelding Call Da Vinci in third.

The win was a first Group 1 for the father and son training team of Chris and Corey Munce, as well as the colt’s sire Cool Aza Beel, himself a Karaka Million winning son of Savabeel, with Cool Archie from his first crop.

Excitement

“Unbelievable,” said Chris Munce. “I was trying to contain my excitement until the last 100 metres and I couldn’t help myself. It’s a great thrill for (owner) Max (Whitby), but I also, I really want to give credit to Martin Harley, he’s done a wonderful, wonderful job with this colt all the way along.

“I said before the race, it’s a team effort. He’s part of the team and I have so much confidence when we put him on because he just does everything right. He assesses horses very well and their level of ability.

“He can give you a good guide and feedback on how they’re going. He doesn’t just steer them around for the wages, he actually takes a bit of interest in them and pride in his work.”

Serious fall

Harley had doubts he would ever return to the saddle after a serious race fall at Doomben in January 2023 resulted in a second broken neck, his first being at Lingfield in 2014.

“I don’t think the doctors expected me to be back in four and a half months, but I’m here and I feel good. I’ve been working at it all of the time,” said Harley in June 2023, six months before he won the A$3 million Magic Million Guineas on Abounding. Fast forward to Saturday’s victory and Harley was asked where Cool Archie’s performance rated.

“When I came out of my apprenticeship, my first Group 1 winner back in Ireland (the 2012 Irish 1000 Guineas) for Mick Channon on Samitar was very special. Going back to my homeland to ride a Group 1 winner was unbelievable and then a Royal Ascot winner with Goldream (in the 2015 King’s Stand Stakes). One thing I will say, this (the J.J. Atkins) is up there with the best.”

The Star Stradbroke Handicap (Group 1)

THE New Zealand-bred Harry Angel gelding, War Machine, has claimed a maiden Group 1 in the Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm.

A short-priced favourite following a sparkling Group 3 BRC Sprint win at Doomben three weeks earlier, the four-year-old won in similar fashion.

Moving into contention at the top of the straight in the 1,350 metre A$3 million feature, War Machine cruised past his rivals to power to the line as only Yellow Brick, by The Mission, was able to narrow the margin to a length. Third was the Al Maher gelding Private Eye.

“Myself and Ben (Hayes), we spoke before the race. We just wanted to get on a three-wide line with a bit of cover,” said jockey Tim Clark. “He travelled so well, I probably let him loose a bit early. But this was the grand final, there’s no tomorrow, so I wasn’t going to die wondering.

“He let rip, really let rip. Maybe just wandered a little bit late. He could feel Yellow Brick coming late and sort of surged again.

“I can’t take too much credit for it. What a great job by Ben and his brothers to just have him spot on for today.”

Trained by Ben, JD and Will Hayes, who took over the training of War Machine following the passing of Mike Moroney, the brothers are now three from three with War Machine, who has now won six from 13.

Passed-in twice on a reserve of NZ$100,000 in 2022, at both the Karaka Premier sale and New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run, War Machine has since accrued over A$2.48 million in Stakes.

JAMES Cummings, the grandson of the 13-time Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Bart Cummings, will train in Hong Kong from the start of the 2026-27 season.

Having withdrawn his application for Bart’s famed Leilani Lodge at Randwick, which has been empty since his father Anthnoy’s licence was revoked in March, James Cummings fronted a press conference in Hong Kong last week to make the announcement.

“This wasn’t a decision I made lightly. With the upcoming conclusion of my exclusive role at Godolphin, I have carefully considered the right path forward,” said the typically measured Cummings.

“While continuing to train in Australia was my intention, the opportunity in Hong Kong presented a unique and respected environment to challenge myself and grow further as a trainer. This is a progression to the next stage of my career in a new jurisdiction.”

A trainer of 52 Group 1 wins, two of which were in partnership with Bart, the 37-year-old will take a sabbatical following the conclusion of his eight years as private trainer for Godolphin on June 31st.