Archedemus on track for Gr 1 Doomben Cup

Archedemus has firmed to second favourite for the Doomben Cup after continuing his meteoric rise.

A Doomben Cup to go with an Australian Derby.

That’s the scenario jockey Corey Brown is hoping will unfold after Archedemus scored an all-the-way win in the Listed Members Handicap (1600m) at Doomben on Saturday.

Brown, along with trainer Gwenda Markwell and owners, the Superhorse Syndicate, combined to win this year’s Australian Derby with Angel Of Truth.

They now have a genuine chance of winning next Saturday’s Group One Doomben Cup (2000m) after Archedemus ($4.20) defeated Tom Melbourne ($5) by 3/4 length with Gem Song, the $2.50 favourite, a short half head away third.

Archedemus firmed to the second line of betting at $7 for the Doomben Cup with TAB Fixed Odds following Saturday’s win.

Brown, who won the Doomben Cup two years ago aboard Sense Of Occasion, believes Archedemus will handle the seven day back-up.

“I don’t reckon he’ll have any trouble backing up. He’s a big, tough, robust sort of horse and he didn’t have to do a lot here today,” he said.

Once Archedemus found the lead, Brown was confident of winning.

“Down the back when I got some cheap sectionals for about three furlongs I thought it was a bit dangerous sitting off me like they did,” he said.

“When I got to the 600m I just let him roll along. He got to his top right on the corner but he was going as strong on the line as he was at the top of the straight so I was really happy with the way he won.”