Libertad shocks the punters at $71 in Victory Stakes
On Saturday at Eagle Farm, the newly married Annabel Archibald was the queen of the roughie as Libertad was a quaddie killer when stunning punters with a $71 blowout in the Group 2 Victory Stakes.
Life just keeps getting better for the trainer, who recently married co-trainer Rob Archibald, as she scored both Eagle Farm Group 2 features after earlier winning the Queensland Guineas with Depth Of Character.
Few saw Libertad's win coming.
But it was hard not to be impressed in his second run back from a year-long injury lay-off and bookies slashed his odds from $101 to $15 for the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 in a fortnight.
Jedibeel ran a narrow second for Brad Widdup and Golden Mile was terrific for James Cummings and Godolphin as a $41 chance in third.
A real head bobbing finish in the G2 Victory Stakes at Eagle Farm, and it's the outsider Libertad who gets his nose down on the line! 😮 @ANeashamRacing | @BrisRacingClub | @TrilogyRacing1 pic.twitter.com/xwW01LhTIP
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 3, 2025
The first of the Queenslanders home was evergreen warrior Rothfire in fourth, with trainer Rob Heathcote and connections delighted and indicating they would give him a shot at the 10,000.
'On the strength of that run, we would have to run him 10,000,' Heathcote said.
'There was pressure on inside and outside, was the last man standing and he was entitled to tire.
'He is as tough as Buff (Heathcote's former Group 1 star Buffering).'
The Victory Stakes left more questions than answers with equal favourite Far Too Easy finishing second last, fancied Hidden Wealth near the tail and Coleman for the Chris Waller stable nowhere near the winner.
• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
But, for Annabel and Rob Archibald, it was a triumph of epic proportions given Libertad had been to hell and back on the injury front.
'It is great to get him back on track,' Archibald said.
'He's had a couple of setbacks with a septic joint. He is lucky as they can be nasty.
'Then he had a little stress fracture when he came back from that.
'Looking back through his form, he's won some good races and placed behind Joliestar in the Arrowfield so I knew he had the form on the board but I thought he may be a run short.
'I originally had Jamie Mott booked on Lady Laguna and I said this morning 'sorry, she's gone to Hawkesbury instead'.
'I'm sure that when Jamie looked at the (betting) price of Libertad he didn't think he was in with a chance.'
Mott now feels sure Libertad can make an impact in Group 1 company in the Doomben 10,000.
'Today he hit the front and got very lost and was like a drunken sailor for a time there until the second horse joined him and kind of headed him,' Mott said.
'To his credit he fought hard and was able to get him on the line.
'With so long off, he should have so much more improvement.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- The Advertiser
Grealish leaves City in bid to revive England career
England midfielder Jack Grealish has joined Everton on a season-long loan from Manchester City as he seeks to restart his stalled international career. City paid Aston Villa a then-British record Stg 100 million ($A207m) for the player, now 29, in 2021 but he fell out of favour with manager Pep Guardiola and is seeking game time ahead of next year's World Cup. Media reports said Everton, who finished last season 13th overall and are managed by David Moyes, had an option to make the move permanent for Stg 50m at the end of the loan period. Grealish's current weekly wages have been put at Stg 300,000 ($A620,000). Everton said Grealish would wear the number 18, the same number worn by past club greats Paul Gascoigne and Wayne Rooney. "I'm over the moon to have signed for Everton. It's massive for me, honestly. This is a great club, with great fans," the player said in a statement. "As soon as I spoke to the manager, I knew there was only one place that I wanted to go." Grealish, who had a medical on Monday and was at Everton's training ground completing the deal on Tuesday, said he had spoken to Rooney already about a shirt number he could wear as soon as next Monday, when the Toffees start their campaign at promoted Leeds United. The player made only seven league starts last season and was not included in City's recent Club World Cup squad. Grealish scored 17 goals for City in 157 appearances and was involved in three Premier League title triumphs as well as winning the 2023 Champions League, FA Cup and Club World Cup. He is Everton's sixth and biggest signing of the summer with the Liverpool club ready to start afresh at a new 52,769 seat stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock. Meanwhile, Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma has been left out of the squad for the UEFA Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday for disciplinary reasons, an unhelpful distraction to manager Thomas Frank in his attempt to mark his debut with silverware. Bissouma didn't travel to the Italian city of Udine after being late "several times" this off-season, Frank said. "The latest time was one too many," he said. The annual Super Cup match pits the winners of last season's Champions League and Europa League competitions. with AP England midfielder Jack Grealish has joined Everton on a season-long loan from Manchester City as he seeks to restart his stalled international career. City paid Aston Villa a then-British record Stg 100 million ($A207m) for the player, now 29, in 2021 but he fell out of favour with manager Pep Guardiola and is seeking game time ahead of next year's World Cup. Media reports said Everton, who finished last season 13th overall and are managed by David Moyes, had an option to make the move permanent for Stg 50m at the end of the loan period. Grealish's current weekly wages have been put at Stg 300,000 ($A620,000). Everton said Grealish would wear the number 18, the same number worn by past club greats Paul Gascoigne and Wayne Rooney. "I'm over the moon to have signed for Everton. It's massive for me, honestly. This is a great club, with great fans," the player said in a statement. "As soon as I spoke to the manager, I knew there was only one place that I wanted to go." Grealish, who had a medical on Monday and was at Everton's training ground completing the deal on Tuesday, said he had spoken to Rooney already about a shirt number he could wear as soon as next Monday, when the Toffees start their campaign at promoted Leeds United. The player made only seven league starts last season and was not included in City's recent Club World Cup squad. Grealish scored 17 goals for City in 157 appearances and was involved in three Premier League title triumphs as well as winning the 2023 Champions League, FA Cup and Club World Cup. He is Everton's sixth and biggest signing of the summer with the Liverpool club ready to start afresh at a new 52,769 seat stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock. Meanwhile, Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma has been left out of the squad for the UEFA Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday for disciplinary reasons, an unhelpful distraction to manager Thomas Frank in his attempt to mark his debut with silverware. Bissouma didn't travel to the Italian city of Udine after being late "several times" this off-season, Frank said. "The latest time was one too many," he said. The annual Super Cup match pits the winners of last season's Champions League and Europa League competitions. with AP England midfielder Jack Grealish has joined Everton on a season-long loan from Manchester City as he seeks to restart his stalled international career. City paid Aston Villa a then-British record Stg 100 million ($A207m) for the player, now 29, in 2021 but he fell out of favour with manager Pep Guardiola and is seeking game time ahead of next year's World Cup. Media reports said Everton, who finished last season 13th overall and are managed by David Moyes, had an option to make the move permanent for Stg 50m at the end of the loan period. Grealish's current weekly wages have been put at Stg 300,000 ($A620,000). Everton said Grealish would wear the number 18, the same number worn by past club greats Paul Gascoigne and Wayne Rooney. "I'm over the moon to have signed for Everton. It's massive for me, honestly. This is a great club, with great fans," the player said in a statement. "As soon as I spoke to the manager, I knew there was only one place that I wanted to go." Grealish, who had a medical on Monday and was at Everton's training ground completing the deal on Tuesday, said he had spoken to Rooney already about a shirt number he could wear as soon as next Monday, when the Toffees start their campaign at promoted Leeds United. The player made only seven league starts last season and was not included in City's recent Club World Cup squad. Grealish scored 17 goals for City in 157 appearances and was involved in three Premier League title triumphs as well as winning the 2023 Champions League, FA Cup and Club World Cup. He is Everton's sixth and biggest signing of the summer with the Liverpool club ready to start afresh at a new 52,769 seat stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock. Meanwhile, Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma has been left out of the squad for the UEFA Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday for disciplinary reasons, an unhelpful distraction to manager Thomas Frank in his attempt to mark his debut with silverware. Bissouma didn't travel to the Italian city of Udine after being late "several times" this off-season, Frank said. "The latest time was one too many," he said. The annual Super Cup match pits the winners of last season's Champions League and Europa League competitions. with AP
The Australian
5 days ago
- The Australian
Ciaron Maher stayer Sayedaty Sadaty takes next step towards Caulfield Cup redemption at The Valley
Sayedaty Sadaty is poised to strengthen Caulfield Cup ambitions on Saturday at The Valley. The in-form stayer is the pick of four runners – half the field – in the Travis Harrison Cup (2040m) for champion trainer Ciaron Maher, including Charterhouse, Relentless Voyager and Smokin' Romans. Sayedaty Sadaty is a $3 favourite from Nellie Leylax ($5), trained by Annabel and Rob Archibald, Charterhouse ($5.50) and Relentless Voyager ($6). Smokin' Romans, the outsider of the small field, is $18. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Sayedaty Sadaty has raced consistently in similar class races through winter, including back-to-back wins at Caulfield and Flemington most recently. The imported stayer has purposely been held to 1800m and 2000m races the past four starts to keep speed in the legs. A third straight run at 2000m should be no issue on Saturday at The Valley. 'We want to protect him as much as we can,' assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said. 'We had the possibility of going up to 2400m-2500m but kept him to this, then a nice break into the Archer. 'We are cautious about going out in trip too soon, just making him slower than we need to, that's something we've been mindful of, as we've been plotting a course towards The Archer.' • Archibald duo can keep Melbourne streak going Sayedaty Sadaty and Relentless Voyager after Saturday will head to the Melbourne Cup-qualifying Group 3 The Archer Stakes (2500m) at Flemington on September 13. Sayedaty Sadaty finished-third last in the Caulfield Cup last year, his first run for Maher, as an entire and after a long European campaign. The decision to geld the talented galloper early in the year has turned his form around and reignited Cups ambitions. 'His race would be a Caulfield Cup again,' Turnbull said. 'He's a much more furnished, conditioned staying horse this time around.' Sayedaty Sadaty is set to roll forward from barrier six but not necessarily lead on Saturday. 'He'd be the pick (of our runners) off exposed form,' Turnbull said. 'He's in great shape … he would assume a forward position, we're not out there to lead or be there by any means but you would be safe to say he's going to be first four (in the run).' Maher fielded six runners in the Travis Harrison Cup last year but managed only a third place. Eventual Caulfield Cup winner Duke De Sessa finished fifth in the Travis Harrison Cup last year. Charterhouse could contest the lead on Saturday from barrier three, along with Smokin' Romans. • Brad Waters' The Valley Saturday tips, race-by-race analysis Relentless Voyager is expected to settle back in the field and finish off. Maher has 12 runners engaged at The Valley including smart colt Oyster Lane in the (1000m) 3YO Open Handicap. Oyster Lane has placed second in two career starts, bloused by progressive Sonofkirk and Shining Smile, a three-time Listed winner. 'He's run a couple of very good races but unfortunately still a maiden,' Turnbull said. 'He's a nice colt and will have his day, hopefully it's this weekend.' 'You're getting beaten a head and a neck, Hayes's horse (Shining Smile) is a three-time stake-winner and the time before that Freedman's (Sonofkirk) is a well-performed animal as well. 'He's not being beaten by nothing … we know we've got a pretty talented colt and hopefully he does win that maiden and you're then setting up to run in (stakes) races.' Gilbert Gardiner Sports reporter Gilbert Gardiner is a sports reporter for the Herald Sun and Sunday Herald Sun. @gilbertgardiner Gilbert Gardiner
Perth Now
07-08-2025
- Perth Now
Bunnies young gun coy on future after being linked to R360
Young gun Jye Gray has left the door ajar to leave South Sydney for a rival league when his contract expires at the end of next year. Gray was reportedly given a $US600,000 ($A922,000) contract to join rugby union's global start-up R360 competition, which is set to begin in 2027 and serve as a rival to the NRL. If the 28-cap Rabbitohs fullback was to join, he might play alongside stars including Ryan Papenhuyzen, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Zac Lomax who are all in negotiations to join the breakaway league. 'My manager is looking after everything outside of that, but I'm just excited to play Gold Coast this weekend,' Gray said on Thursday. 'I played rugby only a little bit in school, but that's about it.' His coach Wayne Bennett is worried about the rebel competition. It's a huge threat, absolutely,' Bennett told Code Sports. 'The NRL is the toughest competition in the world with the best athletes. We cannot ignore it. 'I don't know how we combat it but I will say this - the game needs to come together sooner rather than later in terms of the CEOs and the game itself. 'They will be looking at the star players like (Nathan) Cleary, Latrell (Mitchell) or Reece Walsh, they are the ones that the fans pay their money to watch. 'If we lost just 10 or 12 players like them, it will leave a massive hole in our competition. 'Look at the golf. Who would have thought LIV would be a threat but it is. The amount of money they have paid, we will never be able to match them if they (R360) are serious about the amount of money they have to spend. Broncos great Corey Parker agreed with Bennett. 'I'm at a point now if the R360 is taking off - and it's my belief it's going to - we have got our heads in the sand and we're not doing enough,' he wrote on SEN. Gray also spoke about Lewis Dodd's signing saga after reports Bennett had reportedly told the Englishman he's free to look elsewhere for next season aired on Tuesday. The $2 million signing insists his future remained at Souths, telling reporters Bennett had been playing 'games.' But, Gray told reporters Dodd deserves to stay in Australia regardless of his future with Souths. 'I think he's a great footballer, and he's an even better bloke off the field,' Gray said. 'He will have a future in rugby league. And, whatever he has to do is up to him. 'He will get a crack somewhere.' Jacob Host has his own contract issues to deal with at Redfern. The second-rower's contract expires at the end of 2025 and has confirmed he's talking to other clubs. However, he was more focused on South Sydney's match against the Titans which has been coined the 'Spoon Bowl'. A win would lift the Rabbitohs off the foot of the ladder and jump their opponents. Host said ahead of Sunday, Bennett had banned the words wooden spoon in the locker room. 'It's a word we are not allowed to say,' Host said. 'He just avoids it at all costs. We've had a lot of injuries this year. 'We're just trying to go out there, keep the gloves up and keep fighting every week.' Latrell Mitchell, meantime, got through two thirds of Thursday's training session after he was named on the extended bench. Cameron Murray and Campbell Graham were also seen running, with Host confirming they are 'only a few weeks away'.
