Yoshinobu justifies Annabel Archibald investment with impressive first-up victory at Rosehill

Co-trainer Annabel Archibald’s faith in Yoshinobu was rewarded as the gelding delivered a strong performance to win at Rosehill Gardens.

Yoshinobu charges home for a first-up win at Rosehill. Picture: Getty Images

Trainer Annabel Archibald was a happy person after Yoshinobu delivered a first-up win in the Benchmark 78 Handicap at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Yoshinobu, a stakes-placed three-year-old, was sold on the Inglis Digital online platform in April for $180,000 and Archibald convinced existing stable clients to purchase the son of Written Tycoon.

“I slightly put my neck on the line because he went online and I persuaded OTI (Racing) to try and buy him and quite a few of the owners retained ownership in him as well,” Archibald, who trains in partnership with her husband Rob, said.

“He was always a bit of a quirky colt, but we knew he had good ability.”

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Yoshinobu quickly wiped $102,500 off his purchase price for the new and existing owners when coming from back in the field to burst thought the ruck and claim the 1200m contest, his third win from nine starts.

“I think he’s a quality horse,” winning rider Tom Sherry said.

“Began nicely and there was a good bit of speed early so we got him into a rhythm, travelled beautifully throughout.

“He picked up quite sharply, the runs opened up and he was tough late.”

Yoshinobu ($6) defeated the fast-finishing Iron Man ($10) by a neck with 1¾ lengths back to Spywire ($2.80 fav) in third after being forced to cover plenty of ground, three wide throughout.

“I actually thought we’d be closer in the run today because he’s such a big striding horse, but it was a good ride from Tom,” Archibald said.

“It was good to see him show a turn of foot.

“He was a bit green late and for a stride I thought he might throw it away, but I think he was surging again at the line if anything.”

Yoshinobu strikes first up at Rosehill with a strong performance! 💪@tomo_sherry@ANeashamRacing@OTIRacing@aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/9jpltW05SP

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 19, 2025

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There are no ambitious plans in the short term for Yoshinobu, which placed behind Group 1 winner Switzerland in the Roman Consul Stakes earlier in the season, with Archibald content to allow the gelding to chase more benchmark race wins.

“He’s a talented horse I think it he will continue to progress as he continues to learn his craft,” she said.

“I’m not going to throw him into the deep end yet, he’s still only lightly raced so we’ll just let him go through his grades and see where it takes us.”

Meanwhile, 40 minutes later punters were dealt a savage blow when $1.80 favourite Tuileries never looked the winner in the F&M Benchmark 78 Handicap (1200m).

The Peter Snowden-trained filly was back last and wide in the early stages where the leaders ran a pedestrian 38.03sec for the first 600m and despite running her last 600m in 32.99sec, Tuileries wasn’t able to get any closer than fourth at the line.

Useapin digs deep to take the win at Rosehill for @cwallerracing and @ZacLloydx! 💥@aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/pwKrWvWoDW

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 19, 2025

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Her impossible task left the door open for the Chris Waller-trained Useapin to capitalise on a positive ride by Zac Lloyd, the three-year-old daughter of Waller’s first Everest winner Yes Yes Yes recorded her fourth win from 11 starts.

“She showed nice gate speed which gives options going forward,” Lloyd said.

“She travelled so kindly, and I think once she learns how to put a field away, she’s got many more lengths up her sleeve.

“At the bend I thought she might win by three but she just got a bit lost up the straight, but she always had her head in front and toughed it out nicely.”

Useapin is close to 17 hands in size and due to that, Waller’s is in no rush to raise the bar for the sizeable chestnut filly.

“She’s a big girl,” he said.

“She’s always shown us something but because of her big size I’ve taken her along slowly.

“She was brave and she’s on her way.”

Useapin ($6.50) defeated the 14-time runner-up Dollar Magic ($6.50) by a head with a long head back to Art’s Alive ($11) in third.

Originally published as Yoshinobu justifies Annabel Archibald investment with impressive first-up victory at Rosehill