Champion Victorian trainer Peter Moody kept his Tasmanian strike rate intact with talented colt Golden Archer in the Listed Gold Sovereign Stakes in Hobart on Thursday night.

Golden Archer (2c Rock Of Gibraltar – Viennetta by Pins) cruised to the front in the straight and then fended off local youngsters Triple Asset (Nadeem) and More Awesome (More Than Ready).

Moody’s only other runner during the Tasmanian carnival has been smart three year-old Doubtful Jack (Not A Single Doubt) who won a stakes race at Launceston a fortnight ago.

Golden Archer was never comfortable in the slow going in Hobart but the victory was instrumental in giving the colt his chance in the upcoming G1 Blue Diamond Stakes.  Connections collected $90,000 for winning the Gold Sovereign which will cover the $55,000 late entry fee for the Blue Diamond.

Golden Archer cost $80,000 at the 2010 Inglis Easter yearling sale and he began paying that off with victories at Flemington and Caulfield in December.  He suffered a shock loss in the LR Blue Diamond Preview (C&G) at Caulfield on Australia Day before returning to winning form at Hobart.

Golden Archer is by Coolmore sire Rock Of Gibraltar from the G2 Ellerslie winner Viennetta.  Moody also trains his unraced 3yo half-sister La Praline (Anabaa) for owner-breeder Kevin Taylor.  Viennetta has a yearling filly by More Than Ready and she has been nominated for the 2011 Inglis Easter yearling sale by Sefton Park.