Butler’s pair as locals snare The Archer

By Danny Matthews 

A significant drop in weight, a long-held plan and a jockey who rode his charge with confidence all combined to see Namazu provide local Rockhampton combination a win in the third running of the $775,000 The Archer (1300m).

Jockey Ashley Butler won the inaugural running of The Archer aboard Emerald Kingdom in 2022, and he made the most of having won aboard the six-year-old last start at Mackay carrying 68 kilos in the knowledge that a fit horse with a nine-kilo weight drop could outsay his rivals.

"It was a big drop in weight," Butler said.

"I know he can carry 69 and goes back to 59 today He's a go forward horse and we took out all bad luck.

"He just began so well and I knew I could that that bit extra work with the big weight drop and I got a couple of easy sectionals so I made sure that at the top of the straight that if they were going to run me down they'd need to be pretty good."

For Rockhampton trainer Ricky Vale, the win completed a long-term plan to target this race and the front-running tactics did not disappoint.

"We weren't sure if we were able to lead Master Jamie, so we weren't planning to lead," Vale said.

"But when he went four (lengths) in front on the turn I thought he might have let him slide a bit too much, but I've always said to jockeys to not go to the fence unless you're in front with him because he's a horse that loves to be freerolling."

Namazu ($16) won by a 3/4-length margin over the fast-finishing Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Lavish Empire ($21) with Mishani Sniper ($26) a long-head away in third.

The $2.10 favourite Strait Acer finished a length away from the winner in fourth.

Earlier on the card, the Jake Capewell-trained Sir Warwick took out the consolation race – The Fitzroy (1300m) – in a satisfying form turnaround.

Sir Warwick joined Capewell's care about 18 months ago and come to him as a barrier rogue with already having stewards embargo placed on the galloper.

Capewell, who is also the horse breaker engaged by Tony Gollan, chose to start the six-year-old in this event in preference to two races in Brisbane.

Jockey Michael Rodd elaborated on the gelding's quirks.

"It's incredible," Rodd said.

"Before start he wants to jump when the assistant starter says 'all clear'. He's already lunging forward before the button is pressed and gates open."