The Archibald duo of Annabel and Rob have committed to four fillies in the P J Bell Stakes but pulled one after a wide post, positioning their favorite prospect on the sidelines.
Nepo Baby ($8) sat second in the emergencies list for Saturday’s Group 3 feature as reported, one additional absence needed for inclusion.
A start would unite her with yard allies Kujenga ($23) and Wootton Lass ($51), diverting Tupukara toward a maiden pursuit at Wyong.
“I was surprised she was an emergency,” Annabel Archibald said.
“You’d think a filly that placed in the Light Fingers (Stakes) would get in. She is going great guns, and she is drawn quite well.
“She is probably the best (chance) of them.”
Nepo Baby’s four-race career shows no finish outside the trifecta, with victories in her first two at provincial and country tracks in spring, followed by a solid placing back in benchmark at Rosehill.
Her standout came in the Light Fingers Stakes (1200m), where she set the tempo en route to third versus top-liners Savvy Hallie and Apocalyptic.
Wootton Lass held true in recent modest races, and Kujenga, stakes-placed multiple times, notched solid fourth resuming in last prep’s Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes (1200m).
Kujenga’s trial drew Archibald’s reservations, tempered by conditions and recent promise.
“I didn’t like her trial last week, but it was raining, and the ground was really shifty. Tom Marquand was on her and said she just lost her confidence slipping around the corner a bit,” Archibald said.
“She did a little piece (Wednesday) morning and looked great, and she gets Zac Purton on in an open race.”
Three-year-old improver Pappa Blue, a gelding, flies the Archibald flag in the Carbine Club Stakes (1600m), sidelined from Warwick Farm lesser to stakes tilt.
Cristal Clear joins long-range Hellsing in the Doncaster Mile (1600m), entering off resilient Ajax Stakes (1500m) return win.
“You’d suggest that first-up win probably shows he has gone to another level, which he will need to here,” Archibald said.
“I’m really happy with him. He looks great and the barrier (eight) is good. Half the field has 50 kilos, or near enough, but nice light weight and he has got a lovely racing pattern up on the speed.
“He’s a real trier, so I think he will be in it for a long way.”
Braith Nock, Cristal Clear’s steady apprentice, keeps the Doncaster booking at $34, as Hellsing quotes at $151 tailender.
Head to betting markets for the race to lock in value on the P J Bell Stakes.
