McConachy has his rose cherry ripe

By Glenn Davis

The broodmare barn will be in the thoughts of Rockhampton trainer Jamie McConachy and the Sparrow family of Alpha in Central Queensland if talented mare Cherry Rose claims The Archer at Rockhampton on Sunday.

The $1 million The Archer over 1300 metres was the first thing which sprung to mind for McConachy after Cherry Rose’s brilliant win in her last start in the King of the Mountain at Toowoomba on March 27.

“If a mare can win a Listed race, it always puts a lot more value on them as a broodmare,” McConachy said.

“She hasn’t won a Listed race yet, but she’ll still be a valuable mare if she goes to stud winning a King of the Mountain and The Archer.”

McConachy has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and will soon start his first bout of radiation.

“I was diagnosed with prostate cancer a few months ago but thankfully I don’t need chemo and I’m about to start radiation treatment,” he said.

McConachy didn’t have to wait long before slot owners began calling for The Archer following her King of the Mountain triumph.

“I had a few calls within 48 hours of her winning the King of the Mountain and Max Whitby was the keenest and ended up getting her,” McConachy said.

Whitby is chasing successive wins in The Archer as he was the slot owner of last year’s winner, the Matthew Dunn-trained Lubrication.

Cherry Rose, who drew barrier 11, was bred by Alpha's John Sparrow who races the daughter of Press Statement with his wife Sue and sons Bradley and Kelvin.

“She’s owned by the Sparrow family at Alpha and I’ve trained for them for about five years and they’ve been good clients,” McConachy said.

“She’s only a five-year-old and has won nine of her 22 starts and they’ve decided to race her for another season.”

McConachy expects another strong performance from Cherry Rose on her home track over her favoured trip of 1300 metres.

“It’s a strong field and a lot like a Stradbroke field,” McConachy said.

“She’ll be competitive because she always tries.

"It’s a good race and it leaves a good image for The Archer and Rockhampton racing.

“The race also leaves a good image as it’s attracted some top jockeys like Craig Williams and Nash Rawiller who are international riders.”

McConachy was keen to start Cherry Rose in last year’s race before a virus put her behind schedule.

“I ran out of time trying to get her ready for last year’s race and instead she raced in The Fitzroy and finished second,” he said.

McConachy, who once worked in the coalmines, comes from a famous family steeped in training.