2 days ago
Annabel and Rob Archibald have hot hand in 2025 Winter Cup at Rosehill Gardens
Don Diego De Vega leads the 'Archibald Army' which is attacking the Listed $200,000 Winter Cup (2400m) in numbers at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday
Trainers Annabel and Rob Archibald are saddling up six of the 14 runners in the feature staying contest – Don Diego De Vega, Mormona, Shahzad, Hopeful, Sir Chartwell and Double Cherry.
'I don't know if we have ever had six runners in a race before,'' Rob Archibald said. 'But if they all run to their best they are capable of being competitive.''
Archibald said TAB Fixed Odds price assessors had 'got it right' with Don Diego De Vega on the second line of betting at $3.80 and clear stable pick over Mormona ($19), Shahzad ($19), Double Cherry ($23), Hopeful ($31) and Sir Chartwell ($41).
Don Diego De Vega, raced by Luke Murrell and Jamie Lovett of Australian Bloodstock, resumed with a very good fourth to Touristic in the Lord Mayor's Cup (2000m) at Rosehill two weeks ago and has been improved by the run, according to Archibald.
'His first-up run was good and he seems to have come through it well,'' Archibald said.
'He should appreciate going to 2400m and he is the best of our Cup runners.''
Mormona (seventh), Shahzad (ninth), Double Cherry (12th) and Sir Chartwell (13th) also came out of the Lord Mayor's Cup with Archibald conceding they needed to improve to be in the finish of the Winter Cup.
'It was too short for Mormona the other day, he's a French horse that will get out over two miles,'' Archibald said.
'But I thought he was good last start and will appreciate getting out to 2400m as he's a natural stayer.
'Shahzad was good winning the Gold Coast but he disappointed last start where we might have ridden him too close.
'We will ride him more quietly and hopefully he will finish off better than he did last start.''
See the sights!
Touristic wins the Listed Lord Mayors Cup at Rosehill, and that's a double to Andy Adkins today! 🙌 � @SnowdenRacing1 | @aus_turf_club
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 31, 2025
• Rosehill Turf Talk: Code cracked for punters on Saturday
Archibald said Double Cherry could mix his form but showed two starts ago, when a close second to Campaldino at Kensington over 2400m, that he could stay while Sir Chartwell struggled at his Australian debut.
'Double Cherry needs the right run but on his day I would like to think he can run a good race,'' he said.
'Sir Chartwell is a work in progress but he looks like a nice horse in the making. He has taken good improvement from that run.''
Hopeful didn't come out of the Lord Mayor's Cup but goes into the Rosehill race after finishing fifth to Glory Daze and Winter Cup favourite Bear On The Loose ($3.60) at Randwick three weeks ago.
'Although Hopeful has been a frustrating horse, on his day he can run very well but he has to find form,'' Archibald said.
Glory Daze powers home to win at Randwick for @cmaherracing at big odds! ðŸ'°
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 24, 2025
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The Archibald stable also strong chances in some of the support races including Mickey's Medal ($4.60 favourite) in the Ranvet Handicap (1500m), Cormac T ($7) for the TAB Handicap (2000m) and Don't Forget Jack ($11) in the Racing And Sports Handicap (1400m).
'Mickey's Medal was excellent last start when he was three-wide with no cover but still finished off particularly well to win, and Cormac T has been racing very consistently all preparation,'' Archibald said.
'There is no reason they both can't run well again, they have found nice races.
'Don't Forget Jack was a bit below last start but I'm confident he can turn his form around. He has drawn a bit 'sticky' in nine so he will needs some luck but I feel he is a nice horse.''
At Eagle Farm on Saturday, the Archibalds have some strong big-race chances including Bosustow in the Group 1 $3 million Stradbroke Handicap (1400m).
Bosustow won the Magic Millions 3yo Guineas and Gold Coast Guineas before his sixth in the Fred Best Classic but Archibald is anticipating a better showing in the Stradbroke.
Bosustow loves racing at @GCTurfClub! He dominates the Gold Coast Guineas for @ANeashamRacing ðŸ'°
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 10, 2025
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'No doubt he was a bit below expectations last start but he had about a month between runs so hopefully with that run under his belt, he can get back to where he was,'' he said.
'He gets in with a nice weight (51.5kg) and is a talented colt. On his day he is right up to them.''
The Archibald-trained Mortal Halo is still a maiden but finds himself at Group 1 level in the $1 million JJ Atkins (1600m).
'We are throwing him in the deep end a bit but he's fit and ready to go,'' he said.
'His last run was good and we felt he deserves his chance but we are aware it is a bit of an ask.''
Archibald has more reason to be upbeat about the chances of proven topliners Fawkner Park and Bois D'Argent in the Group 2 $1.2 million The Q22 (2200m).
Annabel Archibald (formerly Neasham) is chasing her third Q22 win in four years after successes with Zaaki (20210, Numerian (2022) and Fawkner Park (2024). The latter is back defending his title and is the $2.25 favourite.
Fawkner Park wins the Q22 in style! @BrisRacingClub @G1TySchil @ANeashamRacing
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 15, 2024
'Fawkner Park has been running well behind Antino (second placings in the Hollindale Stakes and Doomben Cup) so he gets his chance on Saturday. He had a nice draw and the race sets up well,'' Archibald said.
'Bois D'Argent struggles with his consistency but he's always racing at the top level. He's at his best when he can get forward without too much pressure so if he gets the right run he won't be far away.''
