Harley scents Ces win with Musk

Shaun Harley is preparing for the biggest opportunity of his brief training career as Muskatsturm lines up for the Hacketts Bookmakers Irish Cesarewitch at the Curragh on Sunday.

One of only two horses in Harley’s County Donegal stable, Muskatsturm has been an absolute revelation since his return this season after nearly four years away from the track.

Now nine, he ran for Barney Curley until 2004 and after a couple of reappearance efforts for Harley in Britain during the spring, he has won three of his four Irish starts.

The latest outing two weeks ago could not have been more impressive as he won the September Handicap over this weekend’s course by a staggering 15 lengths. The assessor reacted by raising him 16lb.

“The ground was heavy that day and he was the one who was able to go through it best,” said the trainer.

“It’s been very dry this week so that would be a worry, although he has won on good, good to soft ground before.

“He’s definitely going to run on Sunday and seems very well.

“I’ve done quite a lot of work with him on the beach – it’s only 15 minutes away – and it seems to have helped as he was off for a very long time with injury.”

Harley hopes Sunday will make a big difference to his career.

“I’ve just got the two horses, so it’s pretty amazing to have one good enough to run in a race like this,” he continued.

“My father is a farmer and I’ve always been around horses but I only got my license just under a year ago. With a bit of luck the attention from this will get us a few more owners.”