While Randwick is set to host $2.6 million in prizemoney this Saturday, this substantial sum pales in comparison to the immense amount Coolmore invested in Chayan at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale back in May.
Despite a fading performance in her major test, the Group 1 Golden Slipper seven weeks prior, the global breeding powerhouse maintained its conviction, shelling out a significant figure for the now three-year-old filly. She is slated to make her racing comeback in the Group 2 Furious Stakes over 1200 metres.
Annabel and Rob Archibald, who have recently welcomed new parenthood, took the daughter of I Am Invincible for a race-day experience at Rosehill yesterday. Zac Lloyd was in the saddle, while James McDonald was occupied in Melbourne.
“She was really good and we just wanted to bring her out and get rid of that nervous energy,” Annabel said.
“She didn’t need to do a whole lot because physically she is fairly forward anyway, but it is good to get that nervous energy away.”
Archibald acknowledged that the prevailing soft track conditions likely impacted Chayan’s eighth-place finish in the 1200m juvenile feature on March 21. He also suggested that her ‘grand final’ may have already occurred in her victory in the Group 2 Reisling Stakes over the same distance two weeks earlier.
“She was on her toes going out for the gallop but Zac said that once she cantered off, she dropped her head and felt really good,” Archibald added, noting Chayan’s time of 38.63 seconds for the final 600 metres of her work.
“It took a while for him to pull her up but hopefully that is just blowing the cobwebs away and she’ll kick off in the Furious.”
The stable expressed satisfaction in retaining James McDonald for Chayan’s ride, following his success aboard the Tony Gollan-trained Pembrey in the Group 2 Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill.
“Chayan must have given him a good feel in the two (recent) trials and she’s trialled up really well, looks good, is fit but we don’t know her exact path yet.”
The Archibalds’ current objective is for Chayan to secure another win over 1200 metres, followed by a successful campaign at 1400m, before charting a course towards the Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) scheduled for October 3. Punters can find extensive racing odds for upcoming races at leading Australian betting sites.
