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On the back of a substantial prize money upgrade for the second edition of The Archer, the last spot in regional Queensland’s most lucrative race is set to go under the hammer this Friday.
With the first-ever running of the popular race held for $440,000 earlier this year, the Central Queensland Amateur Racing Club has confirmed the second edition of the slot race will receive a $335,000 increase to $775,000.
With the 11 initial slot holders signing up for three years, there is one last chance for a prospective slot holder to be involved in the 2023 race.
That will come at Central Queensland's annual spring lunch, held on Friday at the Red Lion Hotel in Rockhampton.
The inaugural running of The Archer was won by Emerald Kingdom, which was raced by the Red Lion Hotel owners Rob and Leonie Carr's slot.
"The lunch is used to announce next year's event as well as auction the final slot in the race as it's the last chance for interested parties to be involved in the 2023 edition," Central Queensland Amateur Racing Club committee member Jonathon Offord said.
"Our special guest attendees include Rob Heathcote, being last year's winning trainer, Max Whitby, a high profile slot holder, and Desleigh Forster, who raced her star galloper Apache Chase in the race in 2022.
"Tickets can still be purchased out our website rockyamateurs.org.au or if anyone is interested in the auction, they should please contact the club."
Following the confirmation of a large prize money increase for the 2023 edition of the race, club Chairman Bill Reid is expecting there to be serious interest in the last available slot.
Reid floated rising star Chinny Boom – who is unbeaten for Callaghan Park trainer Clinton Taylor – as a galloper to keep an eye on in slot discussions.
"We will auction the last slot and as a matter of point, that is the only slot that is for one year only," Reid said.
"We have that auction every year.
"We may have a local horse like a Sweet Dolly or a Chinny Boom – which a horse of this quality comes along in Rocky regularly – so it allows that sort of person to come along and buy the slot and get that local influence."
The Archer will be run over 1300 metres at Rockhampton's Callaghan Park under Weight-For-Age conditions with the winner to receive $400,000.
