The $1million Group II ATC Percy Sykes Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday is a race won previously by Annabel Neasham with Kristilli in 2023 and she was back in the winner’s circle again on Saturday with husband and training partner Rob Archibald after Cherry Bomshell got the cash.
Bringing completely different formlines into the race having won her past two starts at Eagle Farm over 1000m in February, Cherry Bomshell was tuned up with a recent barrier trial win at Warwick Farm on March 20.
Easy in the market taking on some pretty smart fillies, Cherry Bomshell was given a patient ride by Ben Thompson and was produced late to run down race favourite Medicinal. She scored by three-quarters of a length with I Am Invincible filly Ciaron’s Star a late closing third.
“Lovely ride from Ben (Thompson), it was a tricky draw so ultimately we left it up to him. We weren’t sure there was a whole lot of speed but we were just adamant we didn’t want her caught wide. He just bided his time and she’s just a beautiful, straight forward filly,” said Annabel Archibald.
“A big shout out to the Queensland team up at Eagle Farm because she’s actually had most of her prep up there. They’ve done a great job with her. She’s a long time in between runs, first time at the 1200m but she trialled very well and she’s now a very valuable Percy Stakes winner.”
A $220,000 Magic Millions purchase from Yulong for Australian Bloodstock/Neasham & Archibald Racing, Cherry Bomshell has the overall record of three wins from four starts with prizemoney in excess of $680,000.
Bred by Yulong, she is a half-sister to Group placed Rhythm of Love and is the second winner from four to race from Not a Cherry.
By champion sire Not a Single Doubt from US stakes-winner Cherokee Echo (USA), Not a Cherry was covered again last spring by Lucky Vega after producing a colt by Grunt.
Cherry Bomshell is the fifth stakes-winner for Yulong based Lucky Vega (IRE), a G1 winning son of Lope de Vega.
