Sydney might be bereft of a feature race this weekend, but the Rosehill meeting will still hold significance for Rob and Annabel Archibald as they look to consolidate their team for the Magic Millions carnival.
The husband and wife training duo will saddle up West Of Africa and Mickey’s Medal in Sunday’s TAB Handicap (1400m), both horses on trial for a trip to the Gold Coast in January.
West Of Africa scored a spectacular win in the Magic Millions Cup (1400m) this year and Rob Archibald confirmed the stable was keen to give him a chance at a repeat.
“He was really good that day. He’s going well and hopefully we can get him there again,” Archibald said.
“We have given him a nice break to prepare him for this. His trials have been good, and he seems really well, but it is just a starting point on Sunday, and he’ll improve a lot.”
West Of Africa will carry 60kg after the claim of apprentice Braith Nock and has a tricky draw in barrier 11, while Mickey’s Medal will jump from gate four.
The latter has been a model of consistency, managing a top three finish in 17 of his 28 runs and Archibald was buoyed by his first-up effort behind the well-performed Kintyre at Canberra when he ran on late.
“He was beaten by Kintyre, who was a bit deeper into his preparation,” Archibald said.
“He will improve again into this, and he is also on a Magic Millions path if we can get him there.”
Mortal Halo is another looking to add his name to the stable’s Gold Coast squad when he lines up in the Vinnie @ Yarraman Park Handicap (1500m).
Regarded highly enough at two to earn a winter carnival campaign in Brisbane, he resumed with a facile victory at Scone before taking on the older horses last start and beating all but seasoned gelding Ivan’s Hero.
The three-year-old was scratched from a race at Doomben on Saturday in preference for Sydney, and Archibald is hoping he can put his hand up as a worthy contender for the Magic Millions Guineas (1400m).
“I think he’s a really nice horse in the making,” he said.
“He’s another who could potentially go to the Guineas. He will have to win his way into that, but he’s definitely got ability.”
The trio will be among six Rosehill runners for the Archibalds along with Plundering, Bella Corazon and the in-form Tuned.
Racing officials announced earlier this week that the 10-race card would be held on Sunday due to the extreme weather conditions forecast for Sydney on Saturday.
