Set play for Midnight In Tokyo in the 2025 WJ Healy Stakes

After multiple close calls in stakes company, Midnight In Tokyo will again chase a breakthrough black-type win when she contests the Group 3 W.J. Healy Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm this Saturday under the care of Annabel and Rob Archibald.

The five-year-old mare has developed a reputation for consistency at this level, earning seven stakes placings from her 16 attempts. Five of those have come since the Archibalds began their partnership, including both starts this prep—most recently a narrow third in the Helen Coughlan Stakes (1200m).

While she was an early nomination for the Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m), the stable opted to stick with a shorter trip.

“We’ve tried her at 1400 (metres) before but she’s got a very short sprint,” Archibald said.

“We’ll stick to the 1200 with her. We’ve done it a few times where we try and step her up and it doesn’t seem to work.

“She runs well, she always tries, but she just feels the pinch a lot. She’s got a very short turn of foot and we just need to ride her as patient as possible.”

The stable has turned to Rachel King to ride her from barrier two, where she will carry the minimum of 54kg.

“We had a bit of success with her riding Manhood in the Chief De Beers so hopefully she’ll do the job on her,” Archibald said.

After being scratched from the Gai Waterhouse Classic (1200m) last week due to a tough barrier draw, Midnight In Tokyo is expected to make full use of the better gate this weekend.

“It’s been a frustrating preparation because when you’re targeting these races, you probably only get four or five of races for the prep.

“She’s been in work for a long time, but she’s only had two runs with the prep so far, so it’s been a very frustrating prep, but she’s run well, she’s got a couple more stakes places to her name.”

The Listed Ramornie Handicap (1200m) looms as her next start, and connections may look to the Queensland Summer Carnival if form holds.

“Hopefully the Summer might be her go, if she can still be running at this level where it’s a little bit easier in the summer carnival over the 1,200 metres.

“She just needs to get that stakes win and we’ll be happy.”

Rated a $17 outsider for the W.J. Healy Stakes, punters interested in backing her can find top promotions and odds at Australia’s leading betting sites.