Gear change for Port Lockroy in 2025 The Gong
Nearly twelve months after claiming Western Australia’s premier mile, the Group One Railway Stakes, Port Lockroy will attempt to rediscover winning form in Saturday’s $1 million Gong at Kembla Grange.
Though he hasn’t placed in nine runs since, he has produced several competitive efforts, including a narrow defeat in the Doncaster Mile. Co-trainer Annabel Archibald maintains there are fair reasons to overlook parts of his spring record.
“He has been carrying the same weights as weight-for-age, Group One winners for winning a Perth, Group One handicap,” Archibald said.
“Life has been tough for him since then and this is probably the first time he gets in well at the weights, albeit he is drawn fifteen.”
His most recent outing saw him lug 59kg when finishing eighth to Vivy Air in the Five Diamonds (1800m). Dropping to 54kg for the Gong (1600m), he also gains first-time blinkers in an attempt to spark improvement.
Archibald explained that Port Lockroy’s status as an entire wasn’t deliberate but simply a result of circumstance.
“He is very quiet, to the point where we almost forgot to geld him as a three-year-old and that’s why he came back as an entire as a four-year-old,” she said.
“He hadn’t really done enough at that point to warrant remaining a colt, and then of course, he won the Group One.
“We’re just treating him as a racehorse. He is a lovely natured horse. He is like an old gelding.”
Stablemate Tuned, conversely, showed immediate benefit from gelding when resuming with a convincing win at Rosehill first-up.
He will attempt another victory in the ABAX Civil Handicap (1200m) on Saturday, with connections envisioning a return to stakes company if he continues progressing.
“Unlike Port Lockroy, who doesn’t really look like a bull, he did,” Archibald said.
“He needed gelding. He was getting too heavy and I’m glad we did it because it was a nice win the other day and he had plenty of improvement to come.
“I’d like to think we’ll get an improved run again at the weekend.”
More Racing News
Mr consistency heads to the 2026 Ballarat Cup
Ocean Beyond might not always warm the hearts of punters, but he remains an exceptionally consistent earner for his connections. The Simon Ryan-trained gelding will attempt to secure his biggest payday yet when he contests the $500,000 Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) on Saturday, entering the race with more than $535,000 already...
Bar raised for in-form colt Swift Legend
Swift Legend has earned his opportunity in stronger company after back-to-back midweek victories, but jockey Jason Collett remains cautious as the colt continues to mature. The Dundeel youngster lines up in Sunday’s Vinnie @ Yarraman Park Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill, stepping out from recent wins at Warwick Farm and Canterbury. Collett says...
Inhabit out to book a 2026 Magic Millions Classic trip
Unbeaten filly Inhabit will be racing for a Magic Millions berth when she steps out again on Saturday. A stylish debut winner at Murray Bridge in October, she now lines up in the Sportsbet Same Race Multi Two-Year-Old Plate (1000m) at Morphettville Parks. Her assignment has been simplified with three scratchings, leaving...
Rob and Annabel Archibald hoping to return north with West Of Africa
Despite Sydney lacking a feature race this weekend, Sunday’s Rosehill program will be pivotal for Rob and Annabel Archibald as they shape their Magic Millions carnival team. The Archibalds will run West Of Africa and Mickey’s Medal in the TAB Handicap (1400m), with both aiming to justify a January trip to...
Tommy Berry to test the summer carnival waters in 2025 George Moore Stakes
Tommy Berry will be a key figure in Brisbane this weekend as he reunites with Caballus, while also unveiling a valuable Magic Millions hopeful. Berry’s association with Caballus includes a Flemington stakes win two starts ago, prior to the sprinter backing up into the Champions Sprint, where he was unplaced behind...
SA raider Promises Kept chases 2025 Ballarat Cup
Trainer Michael Hickmott is confident that new stable acquisition Promises Kept can give his owners plenty to look forward to over the next fortnight. The gelding heads east for Saturday’s Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) and may then target the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) seven days later. Previously trained by Greg Eurell and...
Michael Dee makes Ascot return for Apulia in 2025 Northerly Stakes
Group 1-winning jockey Michael Dee is set to make a rare Perth appearance as he chases more elite-level success aboard Apulia. Dee will ride the Lindsay Park-trained entire in the Northerly Stakes (1800m) at Ascot, marking his first visit to the track since November 2018. The Victorian lightweight has a strong record...
Son of ill-fated stallion St Jean scores impressive debut win
Melek, a staying-bred son of St Jean, made the perfect start to his racing career with a determined win over the mile at Caulfield Heath on Wednesday. The Ciaron Maher-trained four-year-old debuted in the Sportsbet Race Previews Plate (1600m) and made an immediate impact. Starting at $4.20 after firming late, Melek charged...
Weather prompts Rosehill races transfer
Saturday’s Rosehill race meeting will now be held on Sunday after Racing NSW moved to avoid anticipated extreme heat across Sydney, with temperatures set to surge past 40 degrees. Racing NSW stewards had tracked forecasts closely all week and, with no relief in sight, chief steward Tom Moxon confirmed the rescheduling...
Air has second Assault on the 2025 Ballarat Cup
A mature and more composed Air Assault will attempt to push his prizemoney beyond $1 million when he lines up in Saturday’s Ballarat Cup. Trainer Andrew Gluyas says the gelding has finally pieced it all together after years of racing keenly, noting the now nine-time winner has developed into a tractable,...