Delayed start for Arkansaw Kid at Flemington

After a false start, Lindsay Park is looking forward to the return to racing of Arkansaw Kid at Flemington.

Arkansaw Kid is set to contest the Listed Poseidon Stakes (1100m) on Saturday, his first start since finishing seventh in the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill in March.

That effort followed a third-place finish in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Sandown the previous month.

Lindsay Park trainers Ben, Will and J D Hayes had picked out a race at Moonee Valley for Arkansaw Kid’s return, but a bad blood picture halted that return.

“We were going to kick-off at The Valley around four or five weeks ago now, but he got a little bug, and he wasn’t quite 100 per cent,” Ben Hayes said.

“It showed up in a blood test and it was very minor. We could have rolled the dice and run him, but we didn’t want to take the risk.

“So, we just backed off him. We’ve got a lot of respect for him, and he trialled up again and went well.

“He’s trialled well down the straight and the Poseidon is a nice kick-off in what is a competitive race with some race-fit horses.

“We believe he’s got a lot of ability and we’re hoping he’s going to be on the same path as possibly every other horse in that race.”

Hayes said Arkansaw Kid and filled out and developed into a nice looking three-year-old.

He said not only he and his training brothers are impressed with Arkansaw Kid, but so to was jockey Damien Oliver who has the ride on Saturday.

“His pictures from when he was a baby to where he is now, he’s really filled out,” Hayes said.

“He looks like a big, strong colt now. He’s got great ability and we’re hoping he trains on.

“He’s a beautiful horse.”