Archo Nacho among entries for the Danehill Stakes at Flemington
Archo Nacho is among the entries for Saturday’s $300,000 Danehill Stakes at Flemington, but the gelding is still not a guaranteed starter in the 1200-metre Group 2.
Trainer Matt Laurie remains hopeful the son of Sioux Nation will be called up for a start in the following week’s $20 million The Everest, but concedes he is running out of time.
“The Danehill looks ideal for him, he obviously goes super up the straight, so that’s where we’re going unless something else comes about,” Laurie said.
“There have been a couple of little talks (about The Everest), but they’re just hedging their bets and waiting as long as they can.
“We want to know sooner than later because it dictates what we want to do with the horse.”
Last year’s Danehill Stakes was won by Giga Kick, who then went to Sydney to score a shock win in The Everest, but last year there was a fortnight between races with just seven days separating them this year.
will not contest both races and Laurie would like to give the speedster a high-intensity workout the Sydney way of going this week if he was to contest The Everest.
“I wouldn’t have minded giving him a little spin around in a trial or something just to get him used to that direction,” he said.
“I had him in for one on Tuesday but nothing’s been cemented. There would still be an option on the Friday, I think.”
Laurie said, like Giga Kick at the same stage, the ceiling for last-start Listed Poseidon Stakes winner Archo Nacho was not yet known. He has had just three starts for two wins and an unlucky second.
“I’m not saying he’s a Giga Kick, by any means, but he kind of went up there with a similar sort of make-up and obviously the three-year-olds seem to go pretty good with the light weights,” Laurie said.
“I think everyone’s aware of that and they’re looking at these sort of horses.”
Chris Waller Racing, Coolmore and Yulong are yet to announce their runners for The Everest with Aquis on Sunday announcing that Saturday’s Premiere Stakes runner-up Hawaii Five Oh would be their replacement for the injured Sunshine In Paris with James Mcdonald to take the ride.
More Racing News
Extragalactic's Flemington mission in McEwen Stakes
While many in the racing world will lament the closure of the old Moonee Valley track, trainer Trent Edmonds isn't lamenting the timing of its renovation.This Saturday marks the first Cox Plate meeting to be held away from 'The Valley', and Edmonds is set to be at Flemington with Extragalactic,...
Blind Raise's faith rewarded with Cox Plate start
Trent Busuttin is aware that if the primary goal was to secure a Group 1 victory, the more prudent strategy would be to send Blind Raise to Sydney for this Saturday's Spring Champion Stakes.Nevertheless, he also recognises that the type of opportunity that has arisen this year is not a...
Caulfield Cup fall victim Half Yours is back home and doing well
Good news has emerged regarding the riders involved in the Caulfield Cup, with the Victorian Jockeys Association reporting both have been discharged from hospital.Mark Zahra and Jye McNeil were transported to the Alfred Hospital after a dramatic fall during the Caulfield Cup on Saturday.The sequence of events saw Half Yours,...
Mr Brightside's Flemington Mile participation uncertain
The Lindsay Park training outfit, comprising Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, will hold off on confirming Mr Brightside's start at Flemington until the acceptance stage.Mr Brightside is expected to be nominated for the Group 2 Kia Ora Stud Mile (1600m) this Saturday, though Ben Hayes indicated he is only...
Warwoven's Cox Plate Prospects to be Decided by King's Ride
Melbourne's racing scene is abuzz as Sydney jockey Rachel King prepares to reunite with Warwoven for a crucial track gallop. This workout is designed to give the final go-ahead for the Bjorn Baker-trained colt's potential entry into the esteemed Cox Plate at Flemington.King, who celebrated a Caulfield Guineas victory aboard...
Infancy's The Invitation prospects while in foal
Dual stakes winner Infancy is eagerly awaiting a potential start in the $2 million The Invitation at Randwick, a race that could significantly boost her career accolades before she transitions to her role as a broodmare.The six-year-old mare has recently been served by the promising young sire Anamoe. Her trainer,...
Tempted claims The Everest crown in thrilling renewal
The tenth running of The Everest delivered a familiar outcome at the top but with a new champion crowned, as Tempted outdueled Ka Ying Rising before a record-breaking crowd of 52,110.For trainer Ciaron Maher, this victory represents his second success in The Everest, building on Bella Nipotina's triumph in 2024....
Autumn Glow's flawless Sydney spring culminates in King Charles triumph
Autumn Glow smoothly assumed the lead in the prestigious Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) as the field turned for home, just as Ceolwulf began to mount a challenge.Trainer Chris Waller reportedly turned to jockey Darren Beadman and inquired, "Are we in trouble?" Beadman's swift reply was,...
Gavin Bedggood celebrates biggest win as Kingswood triumphs in Caulfield Cup
Trainer Gavin Bedggood has achieved his career-defining success with Kingswood winning the Caulfield Cup.The Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday was claimed by the UK-bred import Kingswood, marking Bedggood's most significant achievement, eclipsing his previous best in the 2024 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley.Bedggood, who was a proficient jumps...
Apocalyptic finds her best form in the Silver Eagle
While it was a supporting event on The Everest undercard, Apocalyptic's triumphant return to the winner's circle on Saturday was a considerable achievement for trainer Michael Freedman and jockey Tommy Berry.The mare, a Group 1 victor of last year's Flight Stakes, had been underperforming in the autumn and her initial...