Max Whitby is no stranger to big-race success, but ahead of the inaugural $1 million running of The Archer, he faced a rare challenge — securing a runner for his slot. That dilemma was resolved in the form of Lubrication, and the gelding responded with a stunning performance to capture the Rockhampton feature on Saturday.

Trained by Matthew Dunn and steered to perfection by Jake Bayliss, Lubrication ($17) produced a barnstorming finish to seal the win, rewarding Whitby and a jubilant ownership group with a lucrative payday.

“You wouldn’t believe it,” Whitby said. “We ran third last week in Brisbane and I suggested it to Matt Dunn because I was struggling to get a horse for this.

“I said to him, ‘I thought that bloke went alright’, so I thought let’s go. It was a bit of an afterthought but a real thought.”

Lubrication had caught the eye with a tough third-place effort at Eagle Farm in Class 3 company, and Bayliss was always confident the horse had more to offer.

“I didn’t rule him out,” Bayliss said. “He sat three wide the trip last start and stuck on nicely.

“He was a tad fractious in the gates and he stepped slow but I just let him do his own thing. He dragged me into it at the top of the straight. We were just banking on a run and when he got one he really let down and put them away nicely.”

Comrade Rosa ($11) ran second for Tony Gollan, while stablemate Transatlantic ($4.60) filled third. Lubrication had a length margin at the finish.

The consolation, The Fitzroy (1300m), was won by Lost In Transit ($21), trained by Stuart Kendrick and guided by Kyle Wilson-Taylor. They edged out Cherry Rose ($17) in a thrilling conclusion.

“I couldn’t believe the odds he was,” Wilson-Taylor said. “The gate was against him, but it was a really good effort.”

Earlier in the day, Executive Stress ($4.80) delivered for the Pat Webster and Nikita Beriman combination in the Rocky Amateurs Cup (1600m).