Archo Nacho is among the entries for Saturday’s $300,000 Danehill Stakes at Flemington, but the gelding is still not a guaranteed starter in the 1200-metre Group 2.
Trainer Matt Laurie remains hopeful the son of Sioux Nation will be called up for a start in the following week’s $20 million The Everest, but concedes he is running out of time.
“The Danehill looks ideal for him, he obviously goes super up the straight, so that’s where we’re going unless something else comes about,” Laurie said.
“There have been a couple of little talks (about The Everest), but they’re just hedging their bets and waiting as long as they can.
“We want to know sooner than later because it dictates what we want to do with the horse.”
Last year’s Danehill Stakes was won by Giga Kick, who then went to Sydney to score a shock win in The Everest, but last year there was a fortnight between races with just seven days separating them this year.
Archo Nacho will not contest both races and Laurie would like to give the speedster a high-intensity workout the Sydney way of going this week if he was to contest The Everest.
“I wouldn’t have minded giving him a little spin around in a trial or something just to get him used to that direction,” he said.
“I had him in for one on Tuesday but nothing’s been cemented. There would still be an option on the Friday, I think.”
Laurie said, like Giga Kick at the same stage, the ceiling for last-start Listed Poseidon Stakes winner Archo Nacho was not yet known. He has had just three starts for two wins and an unlucky second.
“I’m not saying he’s a Giga Kick, by any means, but he kind of went up there with a similar sort of make-up and obviously the three-year-olds seem to go pretty good with the light weights,” Laurie said.
“I think everyone’s aware of that and they’re looking at these sort of horses.”
Chris Waller Racing, Coolmore and Yulong are yet to announce their runners for The Everest with Aquis on Sunday announcing that Saturday’s Premiere Stakes runner-up Hawaii Five Oh would be their replacement for the injured Sunshine In Paris with James Mcdonald to take the ride.
