Because Archard’s daughter Bo had bought the horse and his wife Debbie had joined the syndicate which races the four-year-old gelding.
Bo had even designed Javelina’s colours – hot pink with a big white bow front and back.
So, you can imagine the instructions Archard would have given apprentice jockey Liam Riordan in the mounting yard: “If you don’t win, keep riding and don’t stop”.
But the race couldn’t have gone better. Early on Riordan was glued to the running rail with plenty of cover and as they came off the back straight, he moved out to be three wide – and with no-one in his way – as he headed for home.
He almost sling-shotted past the pacesetters Amalfi Star and Smug Sister and once he hit the front it was time to put down your glasses.
At its 14th start Javelina was finally a winner.
And one for your little black book, maybe over 1400m, would be Lunch in Biarritz, which flew home to finish third.
“Liam couldn’t have ridden the race much better,” Archard said.
“The pace was very fast, and I think the decision to not ride him too far forward was the right one.
“Javelina has been performing very well in recent races so it’s nice to see him get a reward for his efforts.”
Despite out on top at his home track on Monday, Archard said he was likely to give the gelding a break in the lead-up to Christmas.
“We’re probably looking at a three to four-week let up in the paddock,” he said.
“There isn’t too much coming up which suits him but there should be a few options in December.
“Hopefully he is able to quickly rediscover his form when we do get him back out on the track.”
Archard also had Dente and Barmah Al finish second and fourth respectively in the opening race on the card.
Dente had been given a strong chance of winning by the bookmakers but was eventually beaten by Hard Squeeze by five lengths.
“I think the big weight (66.5kg) really told on her,” Archard said.
“The winner was carrying 64kg which can make a bit of a difference over 2000m. She probably got anchored down when the pace went up in the race.
“But overall, I’m really pleased with how she ran. Hopefully that first win isn’t too far away now.”
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