The curtain came down on Cox Plate Day at Moonee Valley when the favourite Archo Nacho captured the Group III Sharp EIT Solutions Red Anchor Stakes (1200m), a fourth winner on the day for Mark Zahra.
Tracking the speed set by Don’t Hope Do, the Matt Laurie-trained son of Sioux Nation (USA) held the challenge of the Pride Of Dubai gelding Maharba by a long-neck with the So You Think colt Don’t Hope Do one and a half lengths back in third.
The winner of the Listed Poseidon Stakes at Flemingtom on September 16, Archo Nacho advances his record to three wins and a second from five starts with earnings of $324,525.
“I was a little bit worried there,” Laurie admitted.
“They looked to drop anchor, and we were waiting on a run. He has a great turn-of-foot and it is good to see Archo back.
“I had his half-brother. He showed a bit of pace, but it didn’t eventuate. I just happened to find this bloke at the weanling sale and I bought him for $10,000.
“So we threw him in a paddock and this is where we’re at. It’s a good story.”
Mark Zahra said he got the luck when needed.
“I had a very economical run. I spent nothing. Just needed to squeeze through the gap at the right time,” he said
“He’s a pretty talented horse, if you take out his last run, and he was strong at the end.
“If you get a run like that with a draw like that it is pretty hard not to handle it (the track).
“I wouldn’t go to a Coolmore. You’ve got to back up then. I know the money is great, but I think he just finds his way to another 1200-metre race.
“I’ve ridden maybe one or two winners on Cox Plate Day, but I would have liked it more if I’d won the Cox Plate, but to ride four is a big achievement.”
A $10,000 buy for Kingsbarn Bloodstock from the Rosemont Stud draft at the 2021 Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale, Archo Nacho is from the lone crop of 39 foals left in Australia by Scat Daddy’s Group 1 Phoenix Stakes winner Sioux Nation (USA).
He is the sixth winner from seven to race for the talented Not A Single Doubt mare Jackpot Queen.
Trained by Matthew Dale, Jackpot Queen won the Wellington Boot and races at Randwick Flemington and Caulfield in a 12-start career.
Mathew Dale ventured to the 2023 Inglis HTBA Yearling Sale to purchase Jackpot Queen’s Starcraft colt for $60,000 from the draft of Willow Park Stud.
After foaling a Harry Angel (IRE) filly last spring, Jackpot Queen was covered by Deep Impact’s dual Group 1 winner, Saxon Warrior (JPN).
