Martin Harley capped a Magic Millions fairytale when he partnered the Robert Heathcote-trained Abounding to a belated win in Saturday’s $3 million Magic Millions 3YO Guineas on the Gold Coast.
It was the biggest win in Australia for the Irishman, who first rode Down Under in Victoria, but relocated to Queensland where he was building a successful career before a fall that left him with potentially life-altering injuries less than a week out from last year’s Magic Millions raceday.
The mishap cost Harley the ride on two horses that won at last year’s Magic Millions meeting and he was overjoyed at being able to bounce back with one of the majors on Queensland’s richest raceday.
“It’s unbelievable. This time last year, four days away from the Magic Millions I broke my neck,” he said.
“Thank God there was someone up there looking down on me today.
“It was just nice to get a bit of redemption.”
Harley is a multiple Group 1-winning rider in the Northern Hemisphere, but his previous biggest wins in Australia were three Listed victories, including a Gold Edition Plate success aboard Abounding.
Harley, Heathcote and the First Light Racing team who bought the daughter of Rich Enuff for $75,000 out of Book 2 at last year’s Gold Coast Yearling Sale had to wait almost an hour-and-a-half longer than scheduled to celebrate after a series of delays.
The first came when The King had plating issues before Sydney Bowler got cast in the gates and needed veterinary attention, which forced all horses back to their stalls.
The 1400-metre race that was initially scheduled for 4.20pm local time was put back to 5.30pm but jumped 10 minutes after that following Deep Respect having to be replated, which eventually resulted in Deep Respect joining Sydney Bowler as a late scratching.
The delay did not affect Harley’s ability to produce a quality ride, settling Abounding ($7) midfield one off the fence before edging into the clear shortly after straightening and commencing a run that saw her nail Sovereign Fund ($31) in the final couple of strides and score a narrow win with Flying Trapeze ($41) close up third.
Combining with Harley and First Light Racing made it a particularly special win for Heathcote.
“It is a very special achievement, First Light Racing, they have been a tower of strength to my business for a long time now since they first came up to Queensland,” Heathcote said.
“Martin, thank you too, buddy. You gave me a pearler. I could not take my eyes off you in the run and when I saw you get out I thought we were a really sneaky chance here and he’s got the job done.”
Abounding’s record now sits at four wins and six placings from 11 starts with her bank balance swelling to $2,040,250 after the win.