Alpine Edge Captures The Archer

Mark Smith - Sunday April 30

Ben Thompson found the fast lane hard against the fence on Alpine Edge to deny Emerald Kingdom back-to-back successes in the $775,000 Bentleys 2023 The Archer (1300m) at Rockhampton on Sunday.

Alpine Edge scrapes the rail (image Michael McInally/Racing Queensland)

The Toby and Trent Edmonds-trained son of Better Than Ready, did not have the rub of the green when unplaced in the Ascot Quality at Eagle Farm on April 15. That was his first start since capturing the $1,000,000 Magic Millions QTIS Open at the Gold Coast on January 19.

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For all but the final 75 metres of The Archer, Thompson preserving for the rails run looked sure to end in tears. He arrived in time to defeat Emerald Kingdom (Bryannbo's Gift) by a half-head with a head back to Weona Smartone (Shamexpress) in third.

"We knew after Magic Millions Day that this was the race we were targeting," Toby Edmonds said.

"A couple of his owners live in Rocky, and we worked hard to get him here. We were keen to get him here last year, but as a three-year-old, he may just have needed another season.

"Credit to the horse. He didn't have the ideal prep. He had an ordinary run in the Ascot where he lost his shoe and didn't perform as we could have liked coming into a race like this.

"Credit to the horse. He's a good horse. He's actually a bloody good horse.

"He's a star for us."

The 4yo son of Better Than Ready was one of the best juveniles in the nation, winning at his first two starts, the Listed Phelan Ready Stakes followed by the Group III BJ McLachlan Stakes. He met defeat for the first time when he was runner-up to Shaquero in the $2,000,000 Magic Millions Classic.

Purchased by Edmonds Racing/Kestral Thoroughbreds/Lucky Clover for $160,000 out of the Yarramalong Park draft from Book 2 of the 2020 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Alpine Edge advances his record to five wins and three seconds from 18 starts with earnings of $1,807,625.

Alpine Edge a $160,000 Magic Millions yearling

Bred by Yarramalong Park, Alpine Edge is the best of three winners from four to race out of the stakes-placed Freeze mare Freezethemillions, who was a $5,000 at the 2013 QTIS Yearling Sale.

Freezethemillions hails from the family of champion racehorse and sire Zeditave. She has been a regular partner of Better Than Ready.

Annabel Neasham/Brian McGuire paid $300,000 for a brother to Alpine Edge consigned by Yarramalong Park to the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He has been named Port Lockroy.

Freezethemillions has a yearling filly named For Better and a weanling colt by Better Than Ready. She missed when covered by the Lyndhurst Stud Farm stallion last spring.

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Race Result - Bentleys 2023 The Archer 1300m

Rockhampton Track: Soft(5) Time: 1:15.34
1
Alpine Edge
- 4h Better Than Ready (AUS) x Freezethemillions (AUS) (Freeze (AUS))
Tnr: A J & T Edmonds Rdr: Ben Thompson 59
2
0.1
Emerald Kingdom
- 8g Bryannbo's Gift (NZ) x Horshoe (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: Desleigh Forster Rdr: Damien Thornton 59
3
0.3
Weona Smartone
- 6g Shamexpress (NZ) x Cora Lynn (NZ) (Golan (IRE))
Tnr: David Vandyke Rdr: Ryan Maloney 59
4
1.3
Namazu
- 5g Medaglia D'Oro (USA) x Earthquake (AUS) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: S O'Dea & M Hoysted Rdr: Jaden Lloyd 59
5
1.8
Vega One
- 7g Lope De Vega (IRE) x One Funny Honey (USA) (Distorted Humor (USA))
Tnr: T J Gollan Rdr: Angela Jones 59
6
2.1
Animate
- 6g Animal Kingdom (USA) x Flowerchild (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: J Byrne 59
7
2.3
Blaze A Trail
- 5g Criterion (NZ) x Flaming (NZ) (Bachelor Duke (USA))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Zac Lloyd 59
8
3.2
Count Da Beans
- 3g Spill The Beans (AUS) x Postponement (AUS) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: T J Gollan Rdr: Kyle Wilson-Taylor 56.5
9
4.4
Gem Song
- 7g Your Song (AUS) x Beautiful Gem (AUS) (Peintre Celebre (USA))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: Dylan Gibbons 59
10
5.9
Maotai
- 4g Not A Single Doubt (AUS) x Fascination Street (NZ) (Elusive City (USA))
Tnr: Kacy Fogden Rdr: K Mc Evoy 59
11
6.2
Startantes
- 4m Star Turn (AUS) x Funtantes (AUS) (Easy Rocking (AUS))
Tnr: R L Heathcote Rdr: James Orman 57
12
7.6
Surf Dancer
- 6g Lope De Vega (IRE) x Beach Belle (GB) (Invincible Spirit (IRE))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Regan Bayliss 59
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