Cherry Bomshell claims upset win in Percy Sykes Stakes at Randwick

Although it served as the alternative approach, it ended up being an extremely rewarding path for Cherry Bomshell's connections, the dazzling champion of the Group 2 $1 million Percy Sykes Stakes (1200m) on Saturday at Royal Randwick.

The filly with the quirky moniker pocketed $580,000 for her owners in mere seconds under 70, while markedly enhancing her prospective value as a broodmare down the line.

The training duo of Annabel and Rob Archibald felt initial regret over Cherry Bomshell missing qualification for last month's Golden Slipper.

The pair then targeted the Percy Sykes Stakes instead, with their strategic foresight rewarded by Cherry Bomshell's commanding late charge to Group 2 glory.

"Cherry Bomshell has always been so progressive and we actually half-hoped we'd get her into a (Golden) Slipper,'' Annabel Archibad said."But we weren't going to chase, we would've had to go through the Magic Night so we left it alone and came here.

"We had a chat with the Australian Bloodstock crew and they were keen with that plan. It worked out well and I'm glad we decided to fly (jockey) Ben Thompson down."

Prior successes came for Cherry Bomshell in consecutive Brisbane races, but the prizemoney fell short for a Golden Slipper berth.

Still, at $17, Cherry Bomshell emerged as the revitalized runner, delivering a devastating finish to seize the Percy Sykes Stakes by almost a length from the $3.90 favourite Medicinal, as Ciaron's Star ($21) charged home late for third, half a length behind.

"She had a tricky draw and ultimately we left it (tactics) up to Ben,'' Archibald said."We weren't sure there was a whole lot of speed but we were just adamant we didn't want her caught wide.

"So, Ben just bided his time and she's just a beautiful, straight forward filly.

"She's had a long time in between runs, it was her first time at the 1200m but she trialled very well and she's now a very valuable Percy Stakes winner."

Raced by Australian Bloodstock's Luke Murell and Jamie Lovett, Cherry Bomshell had notched her Brisbane victories under Thompson, whose insight into her was crucial during the Randwick assignment.

"She was a bit keen early, even going to the gates,'' Thompson said.

"I had ridden her in both her wins and she was more casual, but I felt once we joined them at the course proper she was going as I wanted her to and it just panned out perfect.

"She's a lovely filly. It's so hard to line these horses up in the same state let alone crossing states. I just thought this was always her race.

"The Golden Slipper was a dream, well it became a dream after her second win at start three but it wasn't to be.

"Here was always the plan. She was coming here six weeks between runs, it was calculated and she nailed it."

According to Rob Archibald, the victory primes Cherry Bomshell for prominent three-year-old filly features in the spring campaign.

She fits the mould ideally for the Princess Series of four races for three-year-old fillies, including the Silver Shadow Stakes, Furious Stakes, Tea Rose Stakes and Flight Stakes.

"This win will set her up well for the spring,'' Rob Archibald said.

"She will go out for a well-deserved spell now and we will look at the good fillies races next season."

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