G1's beckon for Arkansaw Kid after 2025 Bobbie Lewis Quality win
Arkansaw Kid has bounced back to form in style, taking out the Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) at Flemington for the second straight year and reviving Group 1 ambitions this spring.
The Lindsay Park-trained sprinter, sent out $3.20 favourite with Blake Shinn aboard, produced a strong finishing burst to defeat Star Patrol ($7) by a half-length, with Media World ($8) in third. The win followed two luckless runs to open his campaign where wide barriers proved costly.
Co-trainer J D Hayes said the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield next weekend is under serious consideration. “We’ve never tried backing him up before but it might suit him. He’s travelling kinder this prep and the winkers really made a difference today,” Hayes explained.
Arkansaw Kid, now five, has continued to improve since his days as a colt. “He’s matured, he’s tough, and we’ve always thought he was a Group 1 handicap horse,” Hayes said. “Today’s win was a reward for his owners who’ve been so patient — he’s been close so many times but this one was well-deserved.”
The gelding’s record also includes a narrow defeat in last year’s Supernova, suggesting the Caulfield test holds no fears. Should he head that way, punters can follow the betting markets through leading Australian betting sites.
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