James McDonald and Chris Waller have combined for their first winner of the Melbourne Cup Carnival with Surefire in the Archer Stakes, as the odds-on favourite proved to be the stronger horse at the end of 2500m.
Many commentators thought that the Archer Stakes was Surefire’s to lose and the punters agreed as he was backed in to red figures, winning as the $1.85 favourite with online bookmakers.
It looked as though Crystal Pegasus and the leader in the race, Serpentine, were going to fight it out down the Flemington straight but McDonald eventually got Surefire to the outside of those two and let down very nicely to take out the Group 3 event.
Archer Stakes Replay
Chris Waller’s Victorian stable foreman, Jo Taylor, spoke after the race and confirmed that the stable may have a couple of good horses that we may see in the Melbourne Cup this time next year, Francesco Guardi and Surefire.
“Yes, absolutely. He’s a horse who has been here a while and as we’ve seen just keeps progressing every preparation.”
Taylor explained that this horse is getting better and better with racing since arriving in Australia earlier in the year.
“He could still be 12 months away but it was just good to see him find some form and really come through, especially that Geelong Cup.
“He just got pipped in that race and he came here today and certainly showed that he was stronger the further he went.”
James McDonald has continued his winning ways down in Victoria this spring, riding his first winner as he looks to better his 10 winners at the Melbourne Cup Carnival that he posted last year.
“He travelled into like he was gonna win a little bit better than he did, but in saying that he got to the front and I just felt him back off and wait for the horses.”
McDonald explained that Surefire should have won by further after travelling sweetly through the run for him.
“Maybe a set of visors might help him to just concentrate.
“Apart from that, good job. Lovely track out there and it’ll suit everything.”
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