With eleven first crop sires already registering their first winners, the race to be the first to take their tally to two was won Newgate Farm’s Flying Artie.
Making his career debut in a 2yo maiden over 900 metres at Scone on Friday, the punters elect Harlem Groove was hung out on a limb from an outside barrier. Aaron Bullock took the Paul Perry-trained son of Flying Artie back through the field in a vain attempt to find some cover.
Accepting his fate, Bullock drove Harlem Groove to a challenging position on the turn. Despite his tough run, Harlem Groove was brave down the straight to defeat the Press Statement filly The Storm In Me by a half-length with the Outreach gelding Super Hot a further one and three-quarter lengths back in third.
An $80,000 purchase by his trainer out of the Goodwood Farm draft at the 2020 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Harlem Groove is the second winner from as many foals out of the Canterbury and Hawkesbury winner Harlem Shuffle (Oratorio (IRE)).
A half-sister to stakes-winner Harlem River (Fastnet Rock), Harlem Shuffle descends from the Cobcroft family’s famed Vista Anna family.
It has found fame in recent times through the deeds of Coolmore Stud’s The Everest hero Yes Yes Yes (Rubick) and the dual Group 1 winner sprinter In Her Time (Time Thief).
Harlem Shuffle foaled a Shooting To Win colt on September 10.
Flying Artie has ten lots on offer at the Inglis Classic and 16 at the Gold Coast.