SIR Archibald came running on in the final 100 metres to win the $492,000 Millard Ziadie Cup claiming feature at Caymanas Park yesterday.

Paul Francis produced Sir Archibald at the top of the straight to hold off the joint 8-5 favourite Danielle My Girl, the mount of Clive Lynch, back to the line to win by half a length.

The win closed a triple for Francis, who earlier had the leg up on the even-money favourite Royal Majesty in the second race for trainer Everal Francis and 4-5 favourite Top Commander for trainer Percival Hussey in the third.

Ironically, Francis lost last year’s Jockeys’ Championship by one win to defending champion Omar Walker, who was sidelined for the last two months with a shoulder injury.

Owned and trained by Delroy Wisdom and sent off at odds of 7-1 Sir Archibald ran 1,100 metres 1:08.1 minutes in the field of 10 for $350,000 – $300,000 claimers, three-year-olds and upward, to open his winning account for the new racing season.

Baby Jazz, an imported four-year-old bay filly ridden by Jason Simpson, who led for most of the way until passed in deep stretch, faded into third place along the rails 6 3/4 lengths adrift, while Dancing Sam, who prompted the early pace, completed the frame as a 7-1 bet partnered by Kerry-Gayl Robinson.

A four-year-old bay gelding, Sir Archibald is by Pat N Jac out of Touch The Light (Twilight Agenda) and bred by Dr Frederick Foot and Kent Lyn.

It was the gelding’s third win from 15 career starts and he earned $268,650 as the winner’s share for earnings of $954,300 lifetime.

Meanwhile, Walker returned to the saddle but could only manage one win from his two rides. He missed his opening race when Burning Cielo was scratched from the third race. He, however, won aboard the Wayne DaCosta-trained Excellence in the fourth race to open his winning account and finished fourth on It Is Written in the fifth event, also for DaCosta.