Trainer Symon Wilde says the move of The Archer to this Saturday at Flemington, and the golden ticket into the Melbourne Cup for the winner, couldn’t have been timed better for Dashing Duchess (NZ) (Tavistock).
“She’s in form and up and running. She deserves a shot in a race like this,” the Warrnambool trainer said.
Dashing Duchess has won her past two starts in comfortable fashion at The Valley, with her last one in a Quality Handicap over 2500 metres.
“She’s tracking the right way. She’s got a nice profile for an up-and-coming staying horse. She’s in form at the right time. I think she’s now got enough runs under her belt now to compete at the level,” Wilde said.
“We’re hopeful and excited. She’s surprised us a little. We’ll be interested to see what level she gets to, so we’ll get a great guide in The Archer.”
“If we were to win, then we’d definitely take up the option of heading to the Melbourne Cup.”
Wilde said The Archer would be a tougher race, but he always thought she had potential to get to the better staying races.
“Three weeks between runs also works out nicely for her,” he said.
The VRC earlier in the year announced they would move The Archer from Victoria Derby Day to the Makybe Diva Stakes.
Wilde also nominated veteran stablemate Aurora’s Symphony for the 2024 Melbourne Cup.
“He also got in last year, but realistically we’ll be heading towards the Geelong Cup and then the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, but you never know. He finished second in the Adelaide Cup and we’ll just monitor his form.”
