Leading trainer Peter Moody is delighted with the way Golden Archer and Metonymy returned at their first runs as three-year-olds and the pair gives him a strong hand in Saturday's HDF McNeil Stakes at Caulfield.The winner of five of his seven starts as a two-year-old, Golden Archer raced off Sepoy and held on well for second, beaten 2-1/2 lengths, to the star colt in the Vain Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on August 13.In the following race, the Quezette Stakes over the same trip, Metonymy failed b
Leading trainer Peter Moody is delighted with the way Golden Archer and Metonymy returned at their first runs as three-year-olds and the pair gives him a strong hand in Saturday's HDF McNeil Stakes at Caulfield.
The winner of five of his seven starts as a two-year-old, Golden Archer raced off Sepoy and held on well for second, beaten 2-1/2 lengths, to the star colt in the Vain Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on August 13.
In the following race, the Quezette Stakes over the same trip, Metonymy failed by a short half-head to pick up Satin Shoes when runner-up.
"They both ran super," Moody said.
Golden Archer, to be ridden by Luke Nolen, drew barrier 10 in the 12-horse field while Metonymy, to be handled by Michael Walker, will jump from seven.
"The one turn at Caulfield over the 1200 metres probably doesn't worry me as much as the 1400 metres and the 1600 metres," Moody said.
The Caulfield trainer said he would be guided by Golden Archer's performance on Saturday before deciding where to go next with him.
The Rock Of Gibraltar colt won successive Listed races at Launceston over 1200m and Flemington and Moonee Valley over 1000m last autumn and Moody said he was not sure whether to try him over further.
"We're still working it out a little bit. He's a big, powerful horse and basically we'll take it one run at a time with him and see if he gives us an indication that he wants to step up in distance or keep him in the shorter races," he said.
Moody said Metonymy surprised him by performing at two last season when she won over 1000m at Moonee Valley second-up in her initial preparation.
She went on to finish fourth to Sepoy in the Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) and runner-up to Triple Asset in the Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes u
"Metonymy is bred to be a three-year-old and she will stretch out to longer trips for sure because she's by Hotel Grand," Moody said.
"I'll tell you what, her first-up run has really brought her on."
Golden Archer heads the market at $4.50 with TAB Sportsbet ahead of the Bart Cummings-trained Do You Think and Metonymy at $5.50, Satin Shoes at $6, Decircles at $7 and Glissade at $8.