The Archer 2024: Barrier draw for Rockhampton’s richest race

As the countdown for the The Archer continues, the barrier draw for Rockhampton’s richest race can be revealed.

Rob Carr (Master Jamie) and Karla McPhail (Namazu).

The final cards have been dealt for Sunday’s $775K Bentley’s The Archer (1300m) at Callaghan Park after a novel barrier draw at Ian Weighs Lexus Showrooms in Rockhampton on Wednesday night.

Under the watchful eyes of QRIC stewards, a sealed envelope containing the name of one of the 12 starters in The Archer was drawn out, with the horses name announced.

Its slot holder then came forward and chose pulled one of 12 keys from a bowl which would open a compartment of one of the dozen Lexus motor vehicles in the showroom.

Each compartment contained a barrier number that would be allotted to that slotholders starter.

“Every slot holder was represented, and the unique process made for great theatre and added that personal touch to the draw. All the slotholders enjoyed the event and some commented it was a lot of fun,” Rocky Amateurs committee person Tony Fenlon said.

Race favourite, Edward Cummings, Hawkesbury trained Strait Acer which will carry the number 1 saddle cloth, drew favourably at barrier 4 for Aquis Farm.

So too for that matter did Darling Downs trained (Gerans) Nikau Spur (Z) for slot holder Rockhampton businessman John Kele.

Other favourable draws were unlocked for Newcastle’s Ucalledit (NZ) for trainer Kris lees and slotholders, Rockhampton couple Ron and Jill Milne.

Canberra trainer Matt Jones was grinning after opening his Lexus of choice which revealed barrier 5 for Super Helpful.

Rockhampton banker Darren Kuhl’s syndicate drew barrier 7 for Peter and Paul Snowden Sydney trained Lavish Empire.

Jennifer Acton’s draw from her allocated Lexus, unveiled good news with the ideal rail’s barrier for the family slot represented by the local, Clinton Taylor trained Princess Tenko the outsider of The Archer field.

Rob Carr – no luck drawing outside gate for Master Jamie. Picture: Tony McMahon

However, the only other two Rockhampton trained starters in what is Regional Queensland’s richest race, fared far from ideally.

Master Jamie ($1,058,575) which along with Strait Acer ($1,289,325) are the only pair in the field to have accumulated over $1m in prize money, drew the outside gate of 12 for Rob and Leonie Carr.

Drawing the outside barrier is nothing new for Graeme Green and the connections of Master Jamie.

In his 60 starts career, Master Jamie has drawn accordingly on eight occasions which is included in the 57% of times he has drawn far worse than midfield in his races.

From nine of his last 13 starts, iron horse Master Jamie has drawn close to the outside.

Generous racing benefactor Karla McPhail’s Namazu had no luck in the barrier draw for The Archer. Picture: Tony McMahon

The barrier envelope in the Lexus for generous racing benefactor, Yeppoon’s Karla McPhail was not the “mail” she would have hoped for as it divulged gate 10.

Namazu is another prone to wide barriers, as his last start win under a whopping 68kg at Mackay on March 11, he jumped from the widest barrier.

Included in the giant horse’s resume are dual Cup wins in Cairns from barriers 15 and 11.

The first of eight races commences on Sunday at 12.45pm with the last at 4.57pm while The Archer is scheduled to jump away at 4.22pm.

In many ways for the $1M plus Rocky Amateurs, The Archer Race Day, it’s fair to surmise it all comes down to “the luck of the draw.”

Originally published as The Archer 2024: Barrier draw for Rockhampton’s richest race