With Group 1 racing done in Victoria for 2024, Lindsay Park has shifted its focus to the upcoming rich regional features, starting with this Saturday’s inaugural The Meteorite.
The Ben, Will and JD Hayes operation confirmed that Arkansaw Kid will run in their slot in the 1200-metre event.
He was one of a number of runners announced on Monday as starters, completing the field for The Meteorite.
The four-year-old son of Harry Angel has not started since finishing 10th in the $2m Sydney Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on October 19, but a soft third placing in an 800m Flemington jumpout last Friday confirmed to Ben Hayes he was right to go this weekend.
“He’s been freshened and trialled on Friday (and) he went really well on Friday,” Hayes said.
The Sydney Stakes run was the first time in five starts this campaign, which have all been over 1200m, that Arkansaw Kid has finished out the first two.
His preparation started with Listed victory in the Regal Roller Stakes, which was followed by a second placing in the Listed Chautauqua Stakes, before victory in the Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Quality.
Arkansaw Kid was joined by Pounding, Nadal, Philosopher, Deepour, Kristilli, Cloudland and Who Dares as the horses who completed the field for The Meteorite.
They joined Rey Magnerio, Baraqiel, Spacewalk, Oscar’s Fortune, Moby Dock and Robrick in the first of two new $1 million slot races that will be conducted by Southside Racing across the next month.
The 1400m The Supernova at Pakenham on December 21, and Hayes is open to running Arkansaw Kid along with possibly two other stablemates.
“Horses like Here To Shock or Gentleman Roy could be potential (runners) for the Pakenham race.”
