Juddmonte Colours Salute at Flemington – Surefire Wins G3 Archer Stakes

Tara Madgwick - Saturday October 29

Imported Fastnet Rock gelding Surefire (GB) has always promised to win a stakes race in Australia and got the job done at Flemington on Saturday when scoring a determined win in the Group III VRC Archer Stakes (2500m).

Surefire wins the G3 Archer Stakes - image Grant Courtney

Trained by Chris Waller and ridden by James McDonald, Surefire was a short priced favourite and was strong to the line to beat 2020 Epsom Derby winner Serpentine (IRE) by a length.

Advertisement

“He travelled into it like he was going to win a bit better than he did, but in saying that he got to the front and backed off and waited for the other horses, so maybe a set of visors might help him concentrate,” said James McDonald.

Surefire races for a partnership of Waller stable clients and his breeder Juddmonte Farms in whose colours he runs. He has the overall record of six wins and three seconds from 14 starts and as a four year-old his best is still to come.

Surefire wins his first stakes race - image Grant Courtney

A half-brother to Group winner Button Down and stakes-winner Platitude, Surefire is one of seven winners from stakes-winner Modesta, a half-sister to Group I winning champions Reams of Verse and Elmaamul as well as the dam of champion mare Midday.

Surefire is the 190th stakes-winner worldwide for Coolmore's champion sire Fastnet Rock.

Advertisment

Race Result - Lexus Archer Stakes Gr3 2500m

Flemington Track: Soft(7) Time: 2:39.11
1
Surefire
- 5g Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Modesta (IRE) (Sadler's Wells (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J B Mc Donald 55
Fastnet Rock
2
1.0
Serpentine
- 6g Galileo (IRE) x Remember When (IRE) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))
Tnr: Robert Hickmott Rdr: John Allen 55
3
2.0
Crystal Pegasus
- 6g Australia (GB) x Crystal Etoile (GB) (Dansili (GB))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: M Zahra 56
4
4.7
Warning
- 6g Declaration Of War (USA) x Livia (AUS) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: A & S Freedman Rdr: D Oliver 56
5
7.7
Chapada
- 7g Bullet Train (GB) x Diamantina Dior (AUS) (Oasis Dream (GB))
Tnr: M D Moroney Rdr: J Mott 56.5
6
7.8
Alegron
- 4g Teofilo (IRE) x Alegria (AUS) (Medaglia D'Oro (USA))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: W Buick 59
7
11.8
True Marvel
- 7g Masked Marvel (GB) x Anecdotique (FR) (Enrique (GB))
Tnr: Matthew Smith Rdr: B Mc Dougall 54
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Wednesday February 11
Here is the full list of 42 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Mid Ocean Looking to Continue Stakes Run for Ocean Park
Tyro trainer Benji King has enjoyed the reflected glory from unbeaten filly Well Written, but on Saturday he will be out to generate his very own headlines with the star of his small team, Mid Ocean.
Vale, Stu Dromgool - One of Racing’s Great Characters
Many stories are being shared this week centred on one of the true characters of racing, Stuart Dromgool, who passed away at age 90 at his Cambridge home last Sunday.
Inglis Classic Pinhook Winners
With 84% clearance and rises in average and median on last year, Inglis Classic was undoubtedly a strong sale and that spelled good results for savvy pinhookers, so let’s take a look at those results.
Cool Archie Retired – But Where Will He Stand?
Arguably the best juvenile last season with five brilliant wins culminating with the G1 BRC JJ Atkins, the Chris and Corey Munce trained Cool Archie has been officially retired with a stud career now in the pipeline.
3YO Invincible Double at Sale for Maher
With just two 3yo runners at Sale’s Wednesday meeting by Yarraman Park’s I Am Invincible, both recorded success with the Ciaron Maher trained pair showing the promise of more to come.
Rough Habit Relation on Target for NZ Oaks
Three-year-old filly Ultimate Habit took an important step toward her tilt at the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Ellerslie on Saturday week with a strong trial win at Te Aroha on Wednesday.
Big Sky Three-Quarter Sister Tops MM Digital Sale
Podcast, the three-quarter sister to the ruling favourite for Saturday week's Group One Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield topped the Magic Millions Digital Sale (6-11 February) which concluded today.
Jacquinot Yearlings Continue to Please
The first yearlings by Jacquinot have been well found in the marketplace with Widden Stud’s dual Group I winner the leading first season sire by aggregate at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale this week.
One to Watch – Gosford
A half-brother to a pair of stakes-winners in Daisies and Zou Tiger, this three year-old gelding by Written By made a winning debut at Gosford on Wednesday as favourite.