Annabel and Rob Archibald say they have taken real encouragement from Jamie Mott’s decision to give up a prime Melbourne book of rides in order to stick with Libertad in the Group One Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot.

Mott will bypass the lucrative Zipping Classic meeting at Caulfield on Saturday, which features seven stakes races, to head west and partner the talented entire.

The top hoop will be legged aboard Libertad for the fifth time, having already steered him to a Group 2 success in the Victory Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm in May.

“Jamie Mott is going to fly over and ride him. He rode him a couple of starts ago, and he won the Victory Stakes on him,” Annabel Archibald said.

“It gives you a bit of confidence.”

This campaign, Libertad has turned in three high-quality efforts, beginning with a close fourth to Rothfire in the Sydney Stakes (1200m) first-up.

He then headed to Flemington for the Rising Fast Stakes (1200m), finishing midfield behind Caballus, before another eye-catching run in the Group 1 Champions Sprint (1200m) when less than two lengths from Giga Kick.

Archibald explained that Libertad has been in Perth for several weeks, having travelled across earlier in the month with stablemate Depth Of Character, who endured a tough wide run in the Railway Stakes (1600m).

This time, the barrier draw has been kind, with Libertad landing gate two, immediately inside dual Winterbottom hero and co-favourite Overpass.

Already a triple Group race winner, Libertad’s CV features the Kindergarten Stakes (1100m) as a two-year-old and the San Domenico Stakes (1100m) at three, as well as his Victory Stakes triumph.

Now the team hopes an elusive elite-level win is within reach.

“He ran fourth in the Champions Sprint the other day. He has won two Group Threes and a Group Two during his career. We’re missing a Group One so this might be it,” she said.

If you’re planning a wager on the Winterbottom Stakes, be sure to shop around with the top Australian betting sites to find the best value.