Annabel and Rob Archibald target Ramornie Handicap-Grafton Cup feature double
The training partnership has had a successful first campaign together and will go in search of a late season feature double.
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Annabel and Rob Archibald are mulling over a two-pronged attack for Wednesday’s Listed Ramornie Handicap (1200m) while track conditions will determine leading hope Don Diego De Vega’s Listed Grafton Cup (2350m) fate on Thursday.
The Archibalds are eager to claim a feature double at one of the state’s most renowned country carnivals and nominated three contenders for Wednesday’s $200,000 main event.
Midnight In Tokyo will line up in the Ramornie while Rob Archibald said stablemate Eye Of The Fire was a ‘50-50 chance’ of taking his place.
Swiss Exile is also nominated for Grafton but the gelding ran fourth over 1200m at Doomben on Saturday afternoon.
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A maiden black type victory is high on the agenda for Midnight In Tokyo with the classy mare already placing in stakes company on five occasions this season.
The daughter of Kobayashi will be looking to bounce back to her best following her last start sixth in the Group 3 WJ Healy Stakes at Eagle Farm.
Eye Of The Fire was hard in the market first-up at Rosehill on June 28 and failed to fire but is capable of bouncing back.
“Eye Of The Fire raced well below expectations first-up, we were expecting a bit more from him but he has come through the run fine,” Archibald said.
“It was maybe a bit of a flat run for Midnight In Tokyo last start because her runs before that were quite good in some nice races.
“Possibly the ground was just a tough firm for her, I am not sure.”
Eye Of The Fire, bred and sold by Twin Hills @inglis_sales Classic in 2022.
— Twin Hills Stud (@TwinHillsStud) November 30, 2024
An impressive Saturday win for a progressive horse. Back, wide, but too good!
Well done to @ANeashamRacing and a big team of owners.
pic.twitter.com/QnUV8mgh0m
• Maher import supreme in first Aussie win
Eye Of The Fire has been a drifter from $15 out to $18 in ‘all in’ betting for the Ramornie Handicap with Midnight In Tokyo at $21.
The Kelly Schweida-trained Metalart is the $5.50 favourite for the Ramornie Handicap before the final field is declared on Monday morning while Barber ($6) and Compelling Truth ($7) are among the other leading chances.
The Archibalds have nominated four stayers for the Grafton Cup on the following day with Don Diego De Vega ($8) the clear top seed for the stable alongside Sir Chartwell ($51), Akrotiri ($26) and Little Mix ($26).
“We want to see what the track is like but if it’s too firm, Don Diego De Vega would be a little query,” Archibald said.
“Sir Chartwell will possibly go there as with Akrotiri and Little Mix but we just want to see what the ground is like before making up our mind.”
Originally published as Annabel and Rob Archibald target Ramornie Handicap-Grafton Cup feature double
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