A potential reduction from five to three is on the cards for Annabel and Rob Archibald’s challengers in Randwick’s Anzac Day marquee, as they weigh options to send runners to Tamworth.
With entries confirmed for Hellsing and Formal Display in the Saturday First Australian Imperial Force Handicap (1500m), both are also scratched up for the preceding $200,000 Tamworth Cup (1400m) and its Big Dance pathway.
“One or two might end up in Tamworth. We’ll compare the two races,” Rob Archibald said.
The trainers keep three in the Benchmark 100 at Randwick regardless, led by weight-carrying Cristal Clear post his Doncaster Mile (1600m) disappointment in lower grade, joined by fresh Depth Of Character and Port Lockroy.
Cristal Clear’s opening Ajax Stakes (1500m) triumph booked his Group 1 appearance, but Rob Archibald explained away the heavy loss for the four-year-old.
“The saddle slipped back the other day in the Doncaster, so it was just a write-off,” Archibald said.
“I’m confident he can bounce back.”
Depth Of Character closed strongly for seventh from afar in the Magic Millions Cup (1400m) at Gold Coast in January.
Prior Group 2 Queensland Guineas (1600m) scorer, a sharp fourth to Autumn Glow in the Golden Eagle (1500m) preceded two trials for return.
Following his 2024 Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) victory in Perth, Port Lockroy tackled high-class rivals all season before this benchmark drop at Randwick.
“Depth of Character and Port Lockroy are both getting underway,” Rob Archibald said.
“They probably both run just as starting points, and they will potentially build up to bigger targets in Brisbane.
Depth Of Character has a tricky gate (barrier 14) and he’s not a horse you want to fire up early, so he’s probably going to have to go back from draw, but no doubt he will be running on well. He’s a talented horse.
He’s had a nice break after he went over to Perth and then Queensland, although whatever he does he will improve on.”
Markets react to Formal Display ($4.80 Sydney/$2.70 Tamworth no.2) and Hellsing ($7/$8.50) decisions.
Cristal Clear ($8) is the barn’s best-placed, ahead of Depth Of Character ($13), Port Lockroy ($34).
Lord Of Biscay, Provincial-Midway Championships Final hero, is favourite both ways, yet Kris Lees favours Tamworth Cup entry. Fans can check betting sites for First Australian Imperial Force Handicap at Randwick odds.