Serving as a secondary option, the strategy for Cherry Bomshell’s camp yielded massive returns, highlighted by her commanding performance in Saturday’s Group 2 $1 million Percy Sykes Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick.
The uniquely named filly claimed $580,000 for her connections in under 70 seconds, simultaneously amplifying her long-term appeal as a broodmare investment.
Annabel and Rob Archibald expressed early frustration after Cherry Bomshell missed out on the Golden Slipper last month.
Undeterred, the trainers focused on the Percy Sykes Stakes, reaping rewards from Cherry Bomshell’s potent late-run to snag the Group 2 honours.
“Cherry Bomshell has always been so progressive and we actually half-hoped we’d get her into a (Golden) Slipper,” Annabel Archibad said.”But we weren’t going to chase, we would’ve had to go through the Magic Night so we left it alone and came here.
“We had a chat with the Australian Bloodstock crew and they were keen with that plan. It worked out well and I’m glad we decided to fly (jockey) Ben Thompson down.”
Consecutive Brisbane wins adorned Cherry Bomshell’s record, but not enough earnings for Golden Slipper access.
Nevertheless, the $17 shot Cherry Bomshell burst clear with authority in the Percy Sykes Stakes, prevailing by almost one length from Medicinal ($3.90 favourite), followed by Ciaron’s Star ($21) in third, a half-length farther back.
“She had a tricky draw and ultimately we left it (tactics) up to Ben,” Archibald said.”We weren’t sure there was a whole lot of speed but we were just adamant we didn’t want her caught wide.
“So, Ben just bided his time and she’s just a beautiful, straight forward filly.
“She’s had a long time in between runs, it was her first time at the 1200m but she trialled very well and she’s now a very valuable Percy Stakes winner.”
Luke Murell and Jamie Lovett of Australian Bloodstock race Cherry Bomshell, whose Brisbane triumphs came courtesy of Thompson, proving his expertise invaluable at Randwick.
“She was a bit keen early, even going to the gates,” Thompson said.
“I had ridden her in both her wins and she was more casual, but I felt once we joined them at the course proper she was going as I wanted her to and it just panned out perfect.
“She’s a lovely filly. It’s so hard to line these horses up in the same state let alone crossing states. I just thought this was always her race.
“The Golden Slipper was a dream, well it became a dream after her second win at start three but it wasn’t to be.
“Here was always the plan. She was coming here six weeks between runs, it was calculated and she nailed it.”
Rob Archibald believes the result launches Cherry Bomshell toward spring’s elite three-year-old filly events.
She matches the profile for the four-part Princess Series for three-year-old fillies, encompassing the Silver Shadow Stakes, Furious Stakes, Tea Rose Stakes and Flight Stakes.
“This win will set her up well for the spring,” Rob Archibald said.
“She will go out for a well-deserved spell now and we will look at the good fillies races next season.”
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