A rails-hugging ride by Reece Jones paved the way for the Sebring filly Lady Harlem to break her maiden at start four over 1250m at Canterbury on Wednesday.
In October, the John O’Shea-trained filly debuted with a second in the $400,000 Inglis Banner (RL) at Moonee Valley before two unplaced efforts at Canterbury and Scone.
Carrying the colours of Richard Pegum, Lady Harlem found a narrow seam on the inside of the pacesetting Gilmore to defeat the Snitzel filly, Vienna Princess, by a long neck with a neck back to the Merchant Navy filly Maritima in third.
“She has always been a nice filly that has not been afforded the best of luck,” O’Shea said.
“She copped a really heavy track at Scone, and by Tom’s (Sherry) own admission, it was not a good ride the other day at Canterbury.
“Reece took the option to stay on the rail, and it was the winning move.
‘Rick Connoly did a great job finding her off Newgate Farm, which continually produces lovely horses.
“She comes from a good family, is stakes-placed, and a metro winner, so we are building her career over the next few months. She is up and going and a happy, healthy filly.”
Richard Pegum signed for the filly for $125,000 from the Newgate Farm draft at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
From the final crop of Sebring, Lady Harlem is the third winner from as many foals of the stakes-winning Fastnet Rock mare Harlem River.
Purchased by the Newstar Partnership for $550,000 from the Coolmore draft at the 2017 Inglis Chairman’s Sale, Harlem River is the dam of an I Am Invincible filly that was knocked down to Sheamus Mills Bloodstock (FBAA) for $900,000 from the Newgate draft at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
After foaling a filly by Brutal last spring, Harlem River missed to Deep Field.
Lady iHarlem s the seventh 2yo winner of the season for former Widden Stud stalwart Sebring.
