Rhys Archard is returning to Sandown in search of a wet track with Boltsaver in a bid to secure another city win before season’s end.
The 2023-24 season finishes at the conclusion Wednesday’s meeting and Boltsaver provided Archard with a career highlight when successful at Sandown on July 17.
Boltsaver’s victory was Archard’s first in the metropolitan area and he is looking to the Tile Importer Handicap (1400m) on Wednesday being his second.
The gelding is also entered for a benchmark 74 race over 1200m at Flemington on Saturday, but Archard said he would run Boltsaver where the track was wettest.
The Sandown circuit on Wednesday is currently a Heavy 8.
Archard said it was a huge thrill to win a city race, but he was more excited with the way Boltsaver went about his work when running on from the tail of the field.
“I wasn’t expecting to see him win like that, so it was terrific,” Archard said.
“Celebrations were dampened a bit with the four-hour drive home, but it’s better driving home with a winner in the back than not have one.”
Boltsaver is owned by Archard’s sister Bo, and the pair did receive some offers to sell post the Sandown victory but have decided to race on at present.
Archard does not see the 1400m being a disadvantage, saying the gelding is bred to run the trip.
“Whether he’ll be as brilliant at 1400 metres as he has been at his past couple remains to be seen,” Archard said.
“He doesn’t overdo things in the run, and we didn’t think he was stopping at the line the other day.
“There is a query on it, but I’d like to think he would run out a strong 1400 metres and he’s been good since his win.
“He’s a pretty casual sort of horse, so he’s hard to get a gauge on. The usual signs are good, he’s eaten everything, his work has been OK.
“It’s the last race for his three-year-old year, so that’s sort of the reason why we’re going.
“He can have one more start as a three-year-old and then he’s got to step up into the seniors.”
With travel from Echuca to Sandown for Wednesday’s race, Archard said he cannot be confident, but one thing in his favour is the wet track.
Archard faces horses prepared by Lindsay Park, James Cummings, Robbie Griffiths and Mathew de Kock, Ciaron Maher and Danny O’Brien.
“I’m never confident going to Melbourne, especially when you look at who have horses running,” Archard said.
“But the horse is well and hopefully he gets the right run and the right opportunity and if so, I’m sure he can run well.”
