Trainers Annabel and Rob Archibald chasing Gosford stand-alone feature clean sweep on Saturday

News.com.au

08-05-2025

Newlyweds Annabel and Rob Archibald are in prime position to claim a lucrative clean sweep of Gosford's stand-alone riches on Saturday.
The Archibalds, who tied the knot last month, have contenders in all three features, headlined by Depth Of Character ($4.40 favourite) in the Listed $500,000 The Coast (1600m).
Ostraka ($9) is in the Listed $250,000 Takeover Target Stakes (1200m) while the stable launches a two-pronged attack with Naval College ($7) and Hopeful ($34) in the Listed $300,000 Gosford Gold Cup (2100m).
Rob Archibald admits The Coast is 'probably a bit of an afterthought' for Depth Of Character but knows his stable has a horse in flying form.
Depth Of Character is chasing a hat-trick of wins in the feature event for three and four-year-olds and races on the seven-day back-up with Tom Sherry aboard.
'He's been up for a little while but we just thought it looks a nice race for him and we will finish the prep off this run,' Archibald said.
'We were in too minds because the Rough Habit was available to lead into the Derby but we felt like he's got so much speed.
'We opted to come back to NSW and go to this race.'
Depth Of Character had the ultimate gear change before this preparation and it's paid huge dividends in recent weeks.
The son of Deep Field has won his past two starts in the Sunshine State, including a dominant win last start in the Group 2 Queensland Guineas (1600m) at Eagle Farm.
Depth Of Character continues his super Queensland form winning the Queensland Guineas for @ANeashamRacing! pic.twitter.com/FsenMfjRts
— 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) May 3, 2025
•
'He is in great form,' Archibald said.
'He obviously has to go down and handle the back-up but he's drawn well and Tom (Sherry) has done a good job on him before.
'I think a couple of the other fancied horses have drawn wide so it looks to set up well for him.'
Ostraka, a winner of the Group 3 Silver Eagle last spring, carries topweight of 59kg and is chasing his first victory this preparation with four runs under his belt.
The son of Pariah wasn't far away two starts ago when he finished third in the Group 3 Star Kingdom Stakes before racing too keen in the Group 3 Hall Mark Stakes.
A wide draw in barrier 11 will make his life tougher.
'I think we try and ride Ostraka a bit quieter than we have been,' Archibald said.
'He can be very effective smothered up and produced late.
'The last couple of starts he's just started to overdo it a touch in front so we will probably go the other way and bring him in behind them.
'Hopefully they overdo it in front and he can be challenging late.'
Crikey! Naval College gets home in a close one to win the Australia Day Cup! pic.twitter.com/8zuBOHvG4P
â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 26, 2024
• Trainer's special bond turned 'slow, lazy' horse into a winner
Naval College is set to be a second-up improver in the Gold Cup after finishing fourth in the Group 3 JRA Plate (2000m) fresh from a spell.
'I thought Naval College was excellent first-up,' Archibald said.
'That is all you could hope to see and up to the 2100m will be suitable.
'It's a difficult draw to contend with but he's in good form and should race well.'
Hopeful is dropping back significantly in distance after finishing back in the pack in the Group 1 Sydney Cup last start.
Soft conditions on the Central Coast will likely hold the key to the imported stayer scoring his first victory in close to three years.
'Hopeful is far more effective with the sting out of the track,' Archibald said.
'He's coming back in trip and is racing pretty well this prep so hopefully he can maintain that form.'
with Asgoodassobergets ($13), Hawk Power ($34), Cormac T ($4.80), Junebug ($10), Trapalanda ($21) and Tenniel ($23).
The stable is chasing a fifth straight Group 2 AD Hollindale Stakes (1800m) with Fawkner Park ($9), Bois D'argent ($15) and Port Lockroy ($21).