My Harv had won first-up in her previous prep at Pinjarra in May but the Rommel mare was overlooked when she resumed in the Swan Draught Hcp (1500m) at Ascot on Wednesday.

Punters paid the penalty when My Harv landed a $20 victory under a perfect ride by Jordie Turner.  Last seen finishing fifth in the LR Belmont Oaks (2020m), she settled on the speed behind front-runner Rosie Can Run (God Has Spoken) and then fought off race-fit favourite Fire The Lot (A Lot) to score by a half-length.

“It was a great ride by Jordie and that was probably the difference between winning and losing,” stable foreman Colin Webster jnr declared.  “She’s a good mare and will go through the grades.”

Turner said she had a tendency to lay in but the addition of Ear Muffs (Pre-Race Only), Tongue Tie and Bubble Cheeker (Near Side) had helped as did changing a few things at trackwork.  “She surprised me today even though I knew she would run well.  She will stay so there’s still more improvement to come.”

My Harv was bred by Mogumber Park when her sire Rommel was based at the Bullsbrook stud and she was an absolute bargain at $5,000 for Forrest Thoroughbreds as an autumn yearling at a 2023 Inglis Online Sale.  The catalogue came with a prophetic sales pitch: “This filly has presence and she’s a head-turner.  She’s big, strong, light on her feet and covers the ground like a real athlete.”

My Harv is a younger half-sister to the winners More Shots (Shooting To Win) and Suspectus (My Admiration).  Their dam The Other Harv (Elvstroem) has unraced 3yo filly Rockon Bonnie (Awesome Rock) with Jason Miller and she was pensioned after foaling a Hi World colt in September for Kelly Davis.  The Other Harv won 8 races up to 2000m in Perth for trainer Alan Mathews and she also earned black-type when placed in the 2014 edition of the LR York Stakes (1600m) won by Mr Utopia (Elusive Quality).