She may have been considered one of the dark horses in the Gr.2 Percy Sykes Stakes, but that didn’t stop the Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained two-year-old filly Cherry Bomshell (Lucky Vega {IRE}) delivering in strong fashion with a powerful surge from back in the field.
There was good tempo early as Rachini (Zoustar) led with She’s Extra (Exceedance) on her outside, while race favourite Medicinal (Brave Smash) was caught wide on pace and working.
Halfway down the straight, Medicinal loomed off her tough run to take the lead and looked the likely winner in the hands of Jamie Melham, but Ben Thompson aboard Cherry Bomshell came off her back and was too strong late, scoring by just under a length.
Medicinal was brave in second, while Ciaron’s Star (I Am Invincible) was outstanding in third after missing the start badly and, at one stage, being well detached from the field.
Cherry Bomshell travelled to Sydney on the back of two impressive Eagle Farm wins in February and ticked over with a trial victory at Warwick Farm on March 20 over 795 metres. A patient approach, resisting other targets, had her primed for the $1 million feature juvenile.
“Lovely ride from Ben (Thompson), it was a tricky draw so ultimately we left it up to him. We weren’t sure there was a whole lot of speed but we were just adamant we didn’t want her caught wide. He just bided his time and she’s just a beautiful, straight forward filly,” said Annabel Archibald.
“A big shout out to the Queensland team up at Eagle Farm because she’s actually had most of her prep up there. They’ve done a great job with her. She’s a long time in between runs, first time at the 1200m but she trialled very well and she’s now a very valuable Percy Stakes winner.”
Winning jockey Ben Thompson believed she was ideally placed.
“She’s a lovely filly. It’s so hard to line these horses up in the same state let alone crossing states. I just thought this was always her race.
“The Golden Slipper was a dream, well it became a dream after her second win at start three, but it wasn’t to be. Here was always the plan. She was coming here six weeks, it was calculated and she nailed it.”
Sales info: Cherry Bomshell was purchased by Australian Bloodstock and Neasham & Archibald Racing for $220,000 from the Yulong draft at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Pedigree info: Cherry Bomshell is the fifth foal out of the placed Not A Single Doubt mare Not A Cherry. Not A Cherry has already produced three-time winner Rhythm Of Love (Grunt {NZ}), who has also placed in the Gr.3 Fred Best Classic and the Listed South Pacific Classic.
Cherry Bomshell’s grandam Cherokee Echo (USA) (Cherokee Run {USA}) was a Listed-winning two-year-old in America and has produced four winners. Not A Cherry has recently left a colt by Grunt (NZ) and was served by Lucky Vega (IRE) last spring.
Written for TTRAusNZ
