By Tony McMahon
The final slot into the $775,000 The Archer to be run at Callaghan Park, Rockhampton on April 30, 2023 has been sold at auction for a staggering $100,000.
This took place at an official luncheon organised by the Rocky Amateurs to launch the 2023 The Archer at Rockhampton’s Red Lion Hotel last Friday, November 18.
Earlier this month, it was announced that prize money for the 2023 iteration had increased by $335,000 from the $440,000 purse for its inaugural running this year.
This meant the original 11 slot holders, who had paid $30,000 to ensure a spot in the race, were required to pay an additional $20,000 for 2023.
Restricted to 12 starters, the final slot was put up for auction and was the centre of a keen bidding duel by interested buyers at the function as well as via telephone.
In the end, a syndicate headed by Callide Valley cattleman Stewie Nobbs stopped the bidding under auctioneer Russell Leonard for $100,000 bringing spontaneous applause from the large attendance.
“Our runner last year Streets of Avalon had to be scratched but we are determined to be part of The Archer,” Nobbs said.
Rocky Amateurs chairman Bill Reid said the interest in The Archer, a race whereby it his partly funded by slot holders who negotiate to be represented by the best horse possible, is beyond original expectations.
“In May this year, The Archer brought horses from many of Australia’s biggest high-profile stables,” Reid said.
“Having it on a no clash meeting Sunday next April will bring it to a whole new level.
“This is going to be huge for Rockhampton – not just racing but for the city and region itself.”
Former Sydney-based leviathan owner Max Whitby flew from the Gold Coast to be present at the Luncheon.
“I was an original slot holder and still am in Sydney’s The Everest,” Whitby said.
“When I was contacted last year to become a slot holder in The Archer, I just jumped at it.
“The race this year was massive but next year it will go up to an even further level.
“You will have the best jockeys, horses and trainers up in Rocky. Don’t forget they just don’t come for a day, they spend money and it is great for the region.”
Brisbane trainers Rob Heathcote and Desleigh Forster, who ran the quinella in 2022 with Emerald Kingdom and Apache Chase, also attended and pledged their support for 2023.
“The Archer is all the talk in Brisbane and I was in Newcastle last week with Apache Chase and the trainers were talking to me about it down there as well,” Forster said.
On behalf of an undisclosed telephone client, she was involved in the spirited bidding taking place for the auctioned slot.
At the function, the presentation of a cheque for $15,000 was made by the Rocky Amateurs for their charity of choice - Cancer Cure.