Tony and Maddysen Sears endured a short delay, but the triumph proved worthwhile as their top galloper Yellow Brick captured The Archer at Rockhampton.
The $1 million feature, originally set for Sunday, got pushed back because of problems on parts of the home straight – significant areas near the 200m, 150m, and 80m were heavy, while the remainder of the track remained good.
Jockey Tommy Berry remained on deck for the rescheduled event and kept the $3.40 market leader clear of bother turning for home, affording the Group 1 performer ample space in the lengthy Rockhampton straight.
The local hope Cherry Rose surged powerfully at the 300m, yet superior quality shone through, with Yellow Brick prevailing by a length from Anemacore ($19) and a head further back to Boomtown Boss ($10) for third spot.
Maddysen Sears, in partnership with her father for training duties, described it as a heartfelt success for the family with their flagship runner, pushing his prizemoney beyond $3.7 million via his 10th victory.
“It’s just really special,” Sears said.
“My grandma’s here to watch, all my family come out to do it.
“We brought the right horse up and someone told me a couple of days before, a very good trainer in Melbourne said he’s going to win for fun and he did.
“He’s the pivotal horse for my career. Anyone that knows me, knows my family, this horse is this horse is so special.”
Berry mentioned he felt assured throughout the trip, expressing gratitude to a prominent jockey for securing the mount on Yellow Brick.
“They just wanted me to make sure I got room,” Berry said of the instructions.
“He’s a big horse and he takes a little bit of winding up, but it was a good effort today. Because he was first up and he was a little bit keen in the run and being on the fresh side.
“Great effort by the team to get him ready, to get him ready twice too for today. It was worth coming back for, for the second time.
“He’s definitely got a good carnival ahead. They’ve got some nice races mapped out for him. Thanks to James McDonald, he’s the one who got me up here, so I’ll try and keep it, and you can ride something else from now on, that’d be nice.”
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