Naval College will be out to impress his trainers Annabel and Rob Archibald this Saturday as he lines up in the $300,000 Gosford Gold Cup (2100m), hoping to earn a ticket to Queensland’s Winter Carnival.
The European import is having his second start this prep, having resumed with a fourth in the Group 3 JRA Plate (2000m) behind Bois D’Argent at Randwick. According to Annabel Archibald, this weekend’s assignment offers a great opportunity to build fitness and potentially secure a northern campaign.
“He was fourth behind Bois D’Argent first-up in the JRA Plate, so he’ll strip fitter and up another 100 metres on a tight, leaderish track suits him as well,” Archibald said.
“We’ll see how he goes, but he’s another horse who could make his way up here.”
Stablemates Fawkner Park and Bois D’Argent are locked in for the $500,000 Group 2 Hollindale Cup (1800m) at the Gold Coast, also taking place this Saturday.
The Archibalds bring strong form into the weekend after claiming both the Victory Stakes with Libertad and the Queensland Guineas with Depth Of Character at Eagle Farm last week.
Naval College competed during last year’s winter carnival but was hindered by wet ground, most notably in the Hollindale Cup on a Heavy 10, where he finished more than nine lengths from the winner. Archibald says they’ll avoid similar surfaces this time.
The Gosford track was rated Soft 7 on Tuesday but is expected to improve ahead of race day, with minimal rainfall forecast.
“He doesn’t want wet ground, we probably learnt that the hard way in the Hollindale last year with him,” she said.
“But on a fast track up to a mile-and-a-half, he’s a Group horse. He’s probably not a top-line horse, but he’s a handy horse.”
Naval College will carry 57kg on Saturday, with Klondike allotted topweight of 59kg. New Endeavour (58kg) and Hezashocka (57.5kg) round out the topweights.
