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| Sumita Pawar |
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Trainer Matt Laurie has prepared Archo Nacho for the upcoming Gr.2 Danehill Stakes at Flemington this Saturday. However, there is a possibility that a deal may be made with a slot-holder in The Everest, which could potentially change those plans.
"The Danehill looks ideal for him, he obviously goes super up the straight," Laurie said.
"That's where we're going unless something else comes about."
Laurie fielded interest from slot-holders after the Poseidon.
"A couple, little talks, but they're hedging their bets, waiting as long as they can," Laurie said.
"We want to know sooner than later because it dictates what we want to do with the horse."
Last year, Giga Kick won the Danehill Stakes and secured a slot for the Everest race. This year, the races are only seven days apart, unlike last season when there was a 14-day gap. According to Laurie, Archo Nacho has a similar profile to Giga Kick when he was at the same age.
The 3YO horse named Yes Yes Yes emerged victorious in The Everest back in 2019. If Laurie were to obtain a ticket to The Everest, he would skip the Danehill.
"I wouldn't do that to him (race Saturday and back-up), it's too much," Laurie said.
"I'd want to know by Tuesday, obviously before then it would be even better … I wouldn't mind giving him a little spin around (Sydney way) in a trial or something, to get him used to that direction.
"There would still be an option, I think on Friday."
Just before Poseidon, Laurie was about to sell Archo Nacho.
"We had him sold, and it was good money, but I just thought I was short changing myself," Laurie said.
"I was very nervous going into the race, hoping I wasn't going to be throwing what we knocked back down the drain."