Archer Hits Target

After three wins at Listed level last season, talented colt Golden Archer (3c Rock of Gibraltar x Vienetta, by Pins) notched his first Group success on Saturday in the Group III MRC HDF McNeil Stakes over 1200 metres at Caulfield. The Peter Moody-trained colt finished a troubled second behind Golden Slipper winner Sepoy when making his seasonal debut in the Listed MRC Vain Stakes at Caulfield a fortnight back. With no Sepoy to contend with here, Golden Archer led throughout under Luke Nolen to finish one and three-quarter lengths clear, his overall record now six wins and two placings from nine starts with prizemoney in excess of $400,000. "You would love a stable full of him,” Moody said. "He is just a professional racehorse. He is just a tremendous horse, he is a bloody good horse too. "He has done very little wrong throughout his career.” "We have probably go to take him to 1400 (metres) to have a feel,” Moody said. "Whether that is in the (Caulfield) Guineas Prelude or the old Show Day Cup (Rupert Clarke Stakes), to see if we go down the Guineas path or come back and butt heads with Sepoy again at weight-for-age.” An $80,000 purchase from the draft of Sefton Park at the 2010 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Golden Archer is the second foal of Group II winning Pins mare Viennetta (NZ).