Rob and Annabel Archibald could see their five entrants for Anzac Day’s key Randwick race trimmed to three, splitting forces with some bound for Tamworth instead of Sydney.
Acceptors Hellsing and Formal Display in the First Australian Imperial Force Handicap (1500m) on Saturday are also in the $200,000 Tamworth Cup (1400m) Friday feature, granting Big Dance access.
“One or two might end up in Tamworth. We’ll compare the two races,” Rob Archibald said.
Barring their northern trip, the Archibalds line up three in Randwick’s Benchmark 100: Cristal Clear, easing after the Doncaster Mile (1600m) non-place, with Depth Of Character and Port Lockroy returning from spells.
His Ajax Stakes (1500m) win first-up earned Cristal Clear the Group 1 tilt last start, where Rob Archibald cited a real issue for the four-year-old’s thrashing.
“The saddle slipped back the other day in the Doncaster, so it was just a write-off,” Archibald said.
“I’m confident he can bounce back.”
Since rallying to seventh off a wide trip in the Gold Coast’s January Magic Millions Cup (1400m), Depth Of Character returns.
Group 2 Queensland Guineas (1600m) champ from last year, he was a bold fourth to Autumn Glow in the Golden Eagle (1500m) before two trials for this.
Port Lockroy, Railway Stakes (1600m) winner in Perth during 2024’s Group 1, raced in premium fields since and meets benchmark rivals anew at Randwick.
“Depth of Character and Port Lockroy are both getting underway,” Rob Archibald said.
“They probably both run just as starting points, and they will potentially build up to bigger targets in Brisbane.
Depth Of Character has a tricky gate (barrier 14) and he’s not a horse you want to fire up early, so he’s probably going to have to go back from draw, but no doubt he will be running on well. He’s a talented horse.
He’s had a nice break after he went over to Perth and then Queensland, although whatever he does he will improve on.”
Formal Display ($4.80 Randwick, $2.70 Tamworth second fav) and Hellsing ($7/$8.50) placement sways markets.
The stable’s top pick is Cristal Clear ($8), then Depth Of Character ($13), Port Lockroy ($34).
Despite leading quotes in both races, Provincial-Midway Championships Final winner Lord Of Biscay will go to Tamworth Cup per trainer Kris Lees. Explore racing betting markets for the Randwick First Australian Imperial Force Handicap.
