Lope De Vega's Archedemus Claims Hawkesbury Cup

Mark Smith - Saturday April 27

Lightly raced five-year-old gelding Archedemus took a five-run winning streak in the $500,000 Provincial Championship final at Randwick but after troubled run he could do no better than eighth.

Trainer Gwenda Markwell, owner Ross Williams and jockey Corey Brown had combined to claim the Group 1 Australian Derby with Angel Of Truth and the trio found a consolation for Archedemus in Saturday's Group III Hawkesbury Gold Cup.

The son of Lope de Vega (IRE) dominated the race from the front and kept up a relentless gallop to defeat cult hero Tom Melbourne by half a length with Sixties Groove three and a quarter lengths back in third. (image Steve Hart )

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It advances the record of Archedemus to 6 wins and 1 second from 9 starts with earnings of $311,680.

"He's certainly a nice horse and he knows how to win a race," Markwell told AAP.

"I looked at him at the 600 (metres) and I thought 'you're cantering' and I knew he'd keep going.

"My only worry was the firm track. I really liked him with the 53 kilos and if it had been a bit wet I would have declared him."

"We'll see how he pulls up whether he heads to Queensland.

"He's been up a long time because the preparation was geared around the Provincial Championship but he's only had the five starts."

A half-brother to the Group III-placed filly Mandylion (Nicconi), Archedemus is the best of four winners from five to race out of the Peintre Celebre mare Carolyn's Star who had been purchased by Colm Santry Bloodstock for $50,000 at the 2008 Inglis Great Southern Bloodstock Sale.

Carolyn's Star is a granddaughter of the Group 1 SAJC South Australian Derby winner Mapperley Star (Sir Tristram) who is a sister to Group 1 WRC New Zealand Oaks Stakes winner Royal Heights from the family of the champion Battle Heights.

Carolyn's Star has an unraced 2yo filly by Zoffany (IRE) named Librarian and a yearling by Adelaide.

She was covered by Flying Artie last spring having not been served in 2017.

Archedemus becomes the 53^rd stakes-winner for Lope de Vega (IRE) who shuttled to Australia for four seasons (2011-14).

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