Annabel and Rob Archibald’s five-strong squad for the main race at Randwick on Anzac Day could be reduced to three with the training partners set to split their runners between Sydney and Tamworth.
Both Hellsing and Formal Display are acceptors for the First Australian Imperial Force Handicap (1500m) on Saturday, but have also been paid up to race a day earlier in the $200,000 Tamworth Cup (1400m) which carries Big Dance eligibility.
“One or two might end up in Tamworth. We’ll compare the two races,” Rob Archibald said.
Even if both head north, the Archibalds will still have a trio of runners in the Benchmark 100 at Randwick, with topweight Cristal Clear dropping back in grade following an unplaced effort in the Doncaster Mile (1600m), while Depth Of Character and Port Lockroy resume.
Cristal Clear won the Ajax Stakes (1500m) first-up to earn his place in the Group 1 feature last start, and Rob Archibald said the four-year-old had a genuine excuse for his well-beaten performance.
“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.”
Depth Of Character hasn’t raced since making ground from a long way back to finish seventh in the Magic Millions Cup (1400m) at the Gold Coast in January.
The winner of the Group 2 Queensland Guineas (1600m) last year, he was an eye-catching fourth to Autumn Glow in the Golden Eagle (1500m) and has had two trials to prepare for his return.
Stablemate Port Lockroy was all but forced to compete in top company for a season after taking out the 2024 Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) in Perth and drops to benchmark grade for the first time since then 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.”
The decision on where Formal Display and Hellsing run will have an impact on markets with the former a $4.80 chance at Randwick and $2.70 second favourite at Tamworth, while Hellsing is $7 and $8.50 at each venue respectively.
Cristal Clear ($8) is considered the leading hope of their remaining barn mates, ahead of Depth Of Character ($13) and Port Lockroy ($34).
Provincial-Midway Championships Final winner Lord Of Biscay heads betting for both races, but trainer Kris Lees has indicated he will run in the Tamworth Cup.
