Property developer hoping for The Archer breakthrough

By Glenn Davis

Central Queensland property developer John Kele has been a slot holder in the $1 million The Archer every year since its inception and is hopeful of a breakthrough win at Rockhampton on Sunday.

Kele’s slot, Rockribbed - a Ryan Maloney mount - is a $26 chance in the 1300 metre feature.

He also has a minor share in Archer Park’s slot, Boomtown Boss, who like Rockribbed is trained by premier Brisbane trainer Tony Gollan.

Rockribbed beat only one home when he returned to racing in the Listed Ascot Handicap at Eagle Farm on April 18.

It was his first start since a close fifth in the Listed Sunshine Coast Cup over 1400 metres on January 24.

The eight-year-old has won three times at Listed level. All three wins came last year in the ATC Trophy at the Gold Coast, the Recognition Stakes at Doomben and Lough Neagh Stakes at Eagle Farm.

He was originally trained in Victoria before entering Gollan’s stable more than two years ago.

“I’ve had runners every year since The Archer was first run four years ago but the best I’ve ever had was with a Kris Lees horse who ran sixth,” Kele said.

“It’s a bloody unreal race this year and one of the strongest races in Australia this weekend and it’s in Rockhampton on a Sunday.”

Although beaten last start, Kele has taken comfort from the Gollan stable.

“He’s not a bad horse and he beat Rothfire (in the Lough Neagh) a few runs back,” Kele said.

“Speaking to the Gollan camp they say he’ll run well and is cherry ripe for the 1300 metre trip.

“‘He should be up there with them at the finish but it’s the toughest field we’ve ever had for The Archer without a doubt.”

Kele has been involved in the racing game for about 15 years and was the slot holder for Master Jamie who finished ninth behind the Robert Heathcote-trained Emerald Kingdom in the race’s inaugural running in 2022.

He currently races more than 20 horses with champion Sydney trainer Gai Waterhouse, Sunshine Coast trainer Liam Birchley, Bowen’s Tom Button and Gollan.

His biggest win to date was with the Birchley-trained Swift Dragon who claimed the QTIS Jewel Final at the Gold Coast in March.

“Swift Dragon has done a magnificent job as he also won the Capricornia Yearling Sale Classic, which I’ve won six times now,” he said.

“I have had four Capricornia Yearling Sale Classic wins with Tommy Button and two with Liam Birchley.”

Boomtown Boss is first-up in The Archer having not raced since finishing second to the Peter Snowden-trained King Of Roseau in the Magic Millions Cup at the Gold Coast in January.