Peter Moody is confident brilliant colt Golden Archer will handle the step up to 1400 metres for the first time in Saturday’s Group Three Caulfield Guineas Prelude.
The son of Rock Of Gibraltar has won six of his nine starts and run second, third and fourth at his other three outings but is yet to race beyond 1200m.
“He was very strong at the end of 1200 metres last start so that has given me great confidence coming into this,” Moody said of the colt’s easy last-start victory over Prelude rival Cross Of Gold in the Group Three McNeil Stakes at Caulfield on August 27.
Golden Archer has drawn barrier four and will be ridden by the stable’s number one jockey Luke Nolen.
“He’s is drawn to probably roll to the front and from the nice draw I think he’ll run a hell of a race,” Moody, who won the Prelude last year with the now-retired Anacheeva who went on to win the 2010 Caulfield Guineas, said.
“I threw in a nomination for Golden Archer for the Rupert Clarke but my intention was always to run him in the Guineas Prelude.
“He’s an on-pacer. He leads five furlong (1000m) races so I think he’ll probably be in front but obviously at his first run at the trip you’d want to see a controlled tempo.
“He’s a bold, free-running type of horse. I’m really pleased with him. He’s had four weeks between runs but he had a 900-metre trial at Caulfield a couple of weeks ago to keep him up to the mark and I think he’ll run super.
“He’s going to look the winner at the furlong (200m) and I think he’ll run a strong seven (furlongs) but tomorrow will tell.”
Golden Archer was backed from $5.50 to $3.70 but has earned slightly to $3.80 with TAB Sportsbet behind the easing favourite Helmet who has drifted from $2.50 to $3.
Chase The Rainbow is a solid third pick at $5.50 with That’s The One, unbeaten in two starts at Sandown and Flemington, at $9.
Trainer Rick Hore-Lacy expressed concern about how firm the track, rated a dead (4) on Friday, may be for Chase The Rainbow.
The grey’s two wins have both been on the Geelong synthetic track.
AAP TURF
