A famous underdog victory from nearly four decades ago is fuelling Annabel Archibald’s confidence as she prepares Depth Of Character for a bold crack at the Railway Stakes in Perth.

Archibald celebrated success in last year’s Group 1 with Port Lockroy from barrier seven, but when Depth Of Character drew the outermost alley in a 16-horse line-up, she turned to racing history for reassurance.

“There was a horse called Marwong, who Simon Marshall won on when he was seventeen years old,” Archibald said.

“It won from (barrier) sixteen in 1988, so I got it up on YouTube.

“I think there have been three winners from that gate. It’s due again.”

Aside from his barrier, Depth Of Character heads into Saturday’s feature following a strikingly familiar prep to Port Lockroy.

He also arrived off a strong performance in the Golden Eagle (1500m), charging home late to claim fourth behind star mare Autumn Glow.

That Golden Eagle run came on the back of a luckless display in the Silver Eagle (1300m), and this week Sydney rider Reece Jones – fresh from Five Diamonds success on Vivy Air – takes over the reins.

“Reece is riding in really good form at the moment and it’s nice to give him a Group One opportunity,” Archibald said.

“The horse profiles well. He is coming off the back of a really good run in the Golden Eagle.

“Probably a similar run to what we had with Port Lockroy the year before.

“But Depth Of Character is better credentialled. He is a Group Two winner, and he was unlucky not to run second in the Silver Eagle. He never got off the bridle and was uncontested to the line.

“He is going well. He is just going to need luck.”

Archibald is attempting to become just the second trainer from the eastern states in a decade to land the Railway Stakes (1600m), a race traditionally dominated by Western Australia’s finest.

Grant and Alana Williams swept four consecutive editions between 2018-21 and have another strong hand this season, represented by three runners and two emergencies.