Percy Sykes plan for Team Archibald’s Bomshell works out

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Cherry Bomshell (Lucky Vega) became her sire’s second Australian black type winner with an upset victory in Saturday’s Percy Sykes Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) for two-year-old fillies at Randwick.

Well ridden by visiting Brisbane-based regular partner Ben Thompson, Cherry Bomshell settled second-last of the nine while Thompson let a small squadron battle for the lead.

The Team Archibald-trained filly was full of momentum inside the straight while the leaders were tiring but couldn’t see clear galloping room as the Team Hayes/Godolphin $3.90 favourite Medicinal (Brazen Beau) took what looked a commanding lead.

But once she was clear at the 200 metres, Thompson pulled the pin on Cherry Bomshell’s pent up energy and she exploded in a devastating finish, surging to the line to beat Medicinal by 0.8 lengths. 

Ciaron Maher’s Ciaron’s Star (I Am Invincible) gained her first dash of black type, running a further 0.6 lengths behind in third at $21.

While Medicinal went into the race after winning Flemington’s Ottawa Stakes (Gr 3, 1000m) at her third start, Cherry Bomshell claimed her first black type with the victory.

Starting off in Team Archibald’s Brisbane stable, she’d proven herself worthy of an ambitious trip south by winning her second and third starts over 1000 metres at Eagle Farm, the first of those a 6.7-length maiden romp on February 4. But in her first start since February 28 – with a Warwick Farm barrier trial win in between – punters were content to let her drift from $15 to start at $17.

However, Annabel Archibald, who co-trains with husband Rob, said the win wasn’t out of the blue. The stable had entertained thoughts of a Golden Slipper (Gr 1, 1200m) attempt with the filly, but demurred due to what would have been a busy Sydney schedule required to earn a start.

Archibald was delighted with the value boost that came in the prestigious Sykes instead for Cherry Bomshell, who races in Australian Bloodstock’s colours.

Asked if she was surprised, she said: “Not really. She’s always been so progressive.

“We’d actually half-hoped we’d get her into a Slipper, but we weren’t going to chase. We would’ve had to go through the Magic Night and we would’ve run three times in four weeks so we left it alone and came here.

“We had a chat with the Australian Bloodstock crew and they were keen with that plan. It worked out well and I’m glad we decided to fly Ben Thompson down.

“It was a big cheer when she crossed the line. Lovely ride from Ben. It was a tricky draw so ultimately we left it up to him. We weren’t sure there was a whole lot of speed but we were just adamant we didn’t want her caught wide. He just bided his time and she’s just a beautiful, straightforward filly.”

She added: “A big shout out to the Queensland team up at Eagle Farm because she’s actually had most of her prep up there. They’ve done a great job with her. She’s a long time in between runs, first time at the 1200 metres, but she trialled very well and she’s now a very valuable Percy Stakes winner.”

Thompson said the win was a plan well executed.

“She’s a lovely filly,” he said. “It’s so hard to line these horses up in the same state let alone crossing states. I just thought this was always her race.

“The Golden Slipper was a dream … but it wasn’t to be. Here was always the plan. She was coming here six weeks [between runs]. It was calculated and she nailed it.

“She was a bit keen early, even going to the gates. I had ridden her in her last two, and she was more casual. But I felt once we joined them at the course proper she was going as I wanted her to and it just panned out perfect.”

Yulong’s eight-year-old shuttler Lucky Vega (Lope De Vega) made an exceptional start to stud life in Australia last season when his first runner in the country became a stakes winner. Within The Law claimed Flemington’s Inglis Banner (RL, 1000m) amid two stakes victories and a Group 1 second in her first season.

But Yulong had to wait until Saturday for the stallion’s second Australian black type victor, although New Zealand colt That’s Gold won at Group 3 and Group 2 level in his home country over the summer.

Lucky Vega, who stood last year for $38,500 (inc GST) – up from $16,500 – now has four stakes winners worldwide from 111 runners. In Australia, has had two from 47 and 24 winners.

Cherry Bomshell is the fifth foal out of the city-placed mare Not A Cherry (Not A Single Doubt), whose dam Cherokee Echo (Cherokee Run) won in Listed class in the US.

Older half-brother Rhythm Of Love (Grunt) is a dual Sydney city winner who’s been Group 3 placed in Brisbane.

Not A Cherry missed in 2024 but now has a weanling colt by Yulong’s Grunt (O’Reilly) and was covered again by Lucky Vega last spring.

Bred by Yulong, Cherry Bomshell was sold from the stud’s draft at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale to Australian Bloodstock and Archibald Racing for $220,000.