Deep Image, the outsider in the 12-horse field at $101, was fifth mid-race before giving ground to beat only Game Keeper to the line.
The eight year-old won eight of 30 starts in Queensland for trainers David Vandyke and Robert Heathcote before his owners transferred him to Archard.
Deep Image had not raced since unplaced at the Gold Coast 12 months ago, but won a Tatura barrier trial on December 8, defeating Ashlor.
Plans are for Deep Image to contest the Echuca Cup in March.
The gelding has won four races over 1400m, the Echuca Cup distance.
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Lofty Strike was an impressive Flemington winner on debut.
The Julius Sandhu trained colt ($13) was too strong in the final 100m for $1.90 favourite English Riviera.
The Snitzel-Overreach youngster is bred to be a force in the two year-old classics.
Overreach won the 2013 Golden Slipper Stakes.
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Headman relished a heavy track to dominate the Maiden Plate (1600m) at Albury.
The Echuca four year-old ($14) defeated the $2.70 favourite Gracious Gracie by 2sfr1/4 lengths.
Daryl Archard trains the winner which was ridden by Michael Travers.
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A step up in distance to 2000m almost resulted in Mokgadi’s first win.
The Rhys Archard trained mare went down by a nose in the Ararat Maiden Plate (2000m).
Mokgadi ridden by Will Gordon finished solidly, but too late to run down Persian Salude.
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Speedy Akeedy and Very Shamus had to be content with third placings for Gwenda Johnstone at Benalla.
Speedy Akeedy trailed winner She’s Original most of the way in the Maiden (1206m) only to lose second spot to Psychokinesis which began slowly.
Very Shamus finished well to grab the minor place behind So You Shop and Hurry Scurry in the Rating 58 (1106m).
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Follow — Isotope: Six wins from 11 starts; Gold Coast winner at first run since April.
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Coming winners: Devil’s Throat, Gold Coast Maiden second when resuming.
Let’s Sea, former New Zealander, was impressive at Ararat.
Worthily, staying prospect had three starts in England for Maiden win and a second; midfield at Flemington over 1400m.