This weekend at Flemington, a select field of seven runners will vie for victory in the Group 3 Archer Stakes. This pivotal race serves as the final ballot-exempt opportunity for contenders to secure their spot in the prestigious A$7.5 million Melbourne Cup, set to captivate audiences on November 7.
With five of the seven entrants still in contention for a coveted Melbourne Cup berth, the competition promises to be fierce. Leading the charge is Ladies Man, currently positioned 24th in the order of entry. Expectations are high that all seven will fiercely compete in a bid to solidify their place in the iconic event.
Trained by Allan Sharrock, Ladies Man enters the Archer Stakes as a strong contender. Carrying a weight of 59kg, the gelding seeks to etch his name in history, aiming to become only the third runner in the past two decades to secure victory while carrying such a substantial load.
In a display of remarkable form, the John O'Shea-trained Athabascan emerges as the frontrunner. Following a challenging outing in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup, where he encountered limited racing room, Athabascan eyes redemption and a coveted spot in the race that captivates the nation.
Kris Lees' Kalapour enters the contest riding the momentum of consecutive third-place finishes in The Metropolitan over 2400m and the ATC St Leger Stakes over 2600m. With this strong foundation, the experienced stayer is poised for a formidable challenge in the 2500m contest.
Mostly Cloudy, a contender meticulously prepared for a Melbourne Cup bid, confronts the Archer Stakes with determination. The Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young runner aims to secure victory after a commendable fourth-place finish in The Bart Cummings.
Ciaron Maher & David Eustace's United Nations could potentially see them with five runners in the Melbourne Cup lineup should he triumph in the Archer Stakes. To achieve this, United Nations must recapture the outstanding form displayed in his runner-up finish in the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes just two starts prior.
The Archer Stakes, a critical event on the Derby Day program, is slated to commence at 1pm AEDT.