Harley revved up for the Cup

IN WHAT is becoming an embarrassment of riches being readied for the Victoria Cup, another rising star has signalled his attentions for the Grand Circuit event.

Second-up from a 24-week spell, Hurricane Harley outclassed a field of Cup hopefuls in Bendigo tonight.

The Cup is scheduled to be run at Tabcorp Park Melton on October 10, with trainer Emma Stewart yet to decide if Hurricane Harley will have another start before the Group One.

Should the four-year-old race before his first major target this preparation it will be in the Smoken Up Sprint on October 3.

“We’re aiming him at the Victoria Cup in a few weeks,” Stewart said. “We haven’t made a decision on whether he will go straight to the Cup now or race in between.

“We’ll see how he pulls up from tonight and made a call on it during the week.”

Beginning quickly from barrier five, Hurricane Harley worked to the lead as the favourite Lochinvar Art was sent forward to find the ‘death seat’.

Proving too slick along the home straight, the son of Bettors Delight scored by a metre-and-a-half from a gallant Lochinvar Art.

Code Black, a stablemate of the winner, was five metres away third.

“He’s built a good record, particularly when he is in front,” Stewart said. “Once he found the lead he was always going to be hard to pass.”

Rating 1:52.3 over 2150 metres, Hurricane Harley slashed 1.2 seconds from the track record held by his ill-fated stablemate Centenario.