Meagher Eyes Doomben 10,000 Slot for Arentee

Trainer Chris Meagher will aim for the sky and throw in a nomination for next month's Gr1 Doomben 10,000 if Arentee can place in The Archer at Rockhampton's Callaghan Park on Sunday, reports racingqueensland.com.au. Arentee (Territories-Autumn, by O'Reilly) is third favourite at $10 for the third running of the 1300 metre Weight-For-Age feature behind $2.20 favourite Strait Acer. Arentee will be ridden by former champion Singapore jockey Vlad Duric who has made an immediate impact since his arrival in Queensland. The Territories gelding will be having his first start at Callaghan Park but has hit form at the right time following his all the way win over 1350 metres at Doomben last start. Meagher picked up his slot for The Archer within 24 hours of Arentee claiming his seventh race of his career. "I got a call back that night from a syndicate who was interested and it was confirmed the following day. The syndicate is called The Bucket List, and they were looking at some others including one from Sydney but they chose Arentee," Meagher said. He is unsure if Duric has ridden at Rockhampton before and will rely on his experience with the long 600 metre straight often the death knell for front runners. Meagher is confident Arentee will cope with the long straight and is delighted with the 5YO's progress this campaign, noting, "The way to ride him is to bounce and go forward and get into a nice rhythm. If we get a suitable track, a good draw and if he can be in the first three entering the straight they'll know he's there."