A year on from his memorable Group One success in Perth’s Railway Stakes, Port Lockroy will take aim at another rich prize, lining up in the $1 million Gong at Kembla Grange.
The five-year-old hasn’t posted a placing in nine attempts since his Railway win, yet his performances have often been better than the form guide suggests. He finished within 1-1/2 lengths of the winner in the Doncaster Mile, and co-trainer Annabel Archibald believes several of his spring runs can be excused.
“He has been carrying the same weights as weight-for-age, Group One winners for winning a Perth, Group One handicap,” Archibald said.
“Life has been tough for him since then and this is probably the first time he gets in well at the weights, albeit he is drawn fifteen.”
Port Lockroy should appreciate a major drop in impost after hauling 59kg when eighth behind Vivy Air in the Five Diamonds (1800m). He returns to 54kg for the Gong (1600m) and will wear blinkers for the first time in an attempt to sharpen him up.
Archibald notes that Port Lockroy’s status as an entire wasn’t part of a long-term stallion plan but rather the consequence of a quiet temperament and timing.
“He is very quiet, to the point where we almost forgot to geld him as a three-year-old and that’s why he came back as an entire as a four-year-old,” she said.
“He hadn’t really done enough at that point to warrant remaining a colt, and then of course, he won the Group One.
“We’re just treating him as a racehorse. He is a lovely natured horse. He is like an old gelding.”
Stablemate Tuned proved the opposite case, and after being gelded he launched his new campaign with an authoritative first-up victory at Rosehill.
He will strive to repeat that effort in Saturday’s ABAX Civil Handicap (1200m), with his trainers optimistic about his longer-term prospects.
“Unlike Port Lockroy, who doesn’t really look like a bull, he did,” Archibald said.
“He needed gelding. He was getting too heavy and I’m glad we did it because it was a nice win the other day and he had plenty of improvement to come.
“I’d like to think we’ll get an improved run again at the weekend.”
