With a full brother catalogued for the Ready To Run Sale at Karaka in November, Arkansaw Kid scored a timely win in Saturday’s Group II HKJC World Pool Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) while completing a memorable day at Flemington for Lindsay Park.
Ridden by Craig Newitt for Ben, Will and JD Hayes, the 4-year-old son of Harry Angel (IRE) edged out the fast-finishing Exosphere maser Skybird by a short-half-head with a half-neck back to the Supido entire Buenos Noches in third.
Seven days ago, Arkansaw Kid fell short as an odds-on favourite in the Listed Chautauqua Stakes at Moonee Valley.
“Last start, he ended up getting a pair further back than we expected, and he was just a bit fresh,” Ben Hayes said.
“He overraced with the fast tempo, didn’t finish off, and got run over.
“He pulled up so well we thought this race would suit him.
“Well done to ‘Froggy’. He rode him perfectly.
“He’s won two stakes races and placed in one since (being gelded), so it worked.
“We’ve always had a high opinion of him, and he bounced back today. I was slightly disappointed with his performance last week, but he was back this week and strong to the line. He loved the wet track.”
Hayes said the Gilgai Stakes was the immediate target.
“He’s a Group 2 winner now. Since he’s been racing in group ones and fourth in a Coolmore down the straight. Very deserving.”
Consigned by Sledmere Stud to the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Arkansaw Kid was a $190,000 purchase for Lindsay Park Bloodstock.
Placed in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes at two, the first crop son of Harry Angel (IRE) advances his record to four wins, three seconds, and two thirds from 16 starts with earnings of $1,334,250
Bred and part-owned by Philippa Duncan Bloodstock, the son of Harry Angel (IRE) is the best of five winners from seven to race for the Exceed And Excel mare Florabella, a three-quarter sister to Group 1 CF Orr Stakes winner Shinzig (Danehill) and Listed winner Strada (Danehill).
A daughter of Group 1 Coolmore Classic heroine Shindig (Straight Strike), Florabella has a 2-year-old brother to Arkansaw Kid, who was a $300,000 purchase for Ohukia Lodge from the Sledmere Stud draft at the 2024 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale and is headed to Karaka for the Ready To Run Sale in November.
