The Muswellbrook Cup might have been worth one-tenth of the prizemoney on offer in Sunday’s running of The Archer (1300m) at Rockhampton, but trainer Kris Lees’ opinion is that the $775,000 feature has Gem Song in a better position to win.

The now seven-year-old gelding made the trip north for the inaugural running of The Archer twelve months ago and is back again in 2023.

“I think he’s going just as good (as last year),” Lees said.

“He’s an old marvel and has maintained his form for a long period.”

A winner from 1100-metres up to a mile, the 1300-metre trip of The Archer is within his range but, still, things need to fall into place.”

“He’s got a little bit of a tricky gate again, which probably cost him last year so he’s relying on a bit of tempo which on paper it does read like they’ll roll.

“If gets an even break I think he’ll be in the finish.”

Gem Song comes off a fifth placing in the Muswellbrook Gold Cup (1500m) on March 31.

“It was a good run with 62-kilos and he was off the track all the way and he was still game at the finish,” Lees said.

“With a good gap between runs suits him and coming back to the 1300-metres.”

Gem Song is rated a $16 chance behind race favourite and Group 1-winner Startantes at $3.90 with betr.

“It is a harder field than last start but he’s not too badly placed under the weight-for-age conditions,” Lees added.