Midnight In Tokyo, the ever-consistent mare from the Annabel and Rob Archibald yard, will get another chance to break through at stakes level when she lines up in the Group 3 W.J. Healy Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm this Saturday.
The five-year-old daughter of Kobayashi has accumulated seven minor placings in black-type company, five of those since the Archibalds began their co-training venture. Her two runs this campaign have both delivered Listed placings, including a close third in the Helen Coughlan Stakes (1200m).
Although she appeared in early markets for the Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m), Rob Archibald confirmed they are staying at the shorter trip.
“We’ve tried her at 1400 (metres) before but she’s got a very short sprint,” Archibald said.
“We’ll stick to the 1200 with her. We’ve done it a few times where we try and step her up and it doesn’t seem to work.
“She runs well, she always tries, but she just feels the pinch a lot. She’s got a very short turn of foot and we just need to ride her as patient as possible.”
Rachel King takes the ride from barrier two with Midnight In Tokyo on the minimum weight of 54kg.
“We had a bit of success with her riding Manhood in the Chief De Beers so hopefully she’ll do the job on her,” Archibald said.
Scratched from the Gai Waterhouse Classic (1200m) due to a wide gate, the stable is banking on a better performance from a more suitable draw this weekend.
“It’s been a frustrating preparation because when you’re targeting these races, you probably only get four or five of races for the prep.
“She’s been in work for a long time, but she’s only had two runs with the prep so far, so it’s been a very frustrating prep, but she’s run well, she’s got a couple more stakes places to her name.”
Archibald noted the Listed Ramornie Handicap (1200m) at Grafton on July 15 as her likely next stop, with a summer campaign possibly on the horizon.
“Hopefully the Summer might be her go, if she can still be running at this level where it’s a little bit easier in the summer carnival over the 1,200 metres.
“She just needs to get that stakes win and we’ll be happy.”
Midnight In Tokyo is a $17 shot for Saturday’s W.J. Healy Stakes. To explore odds, promotions, and more from the best betting sites in Australia, check out our full guide.
