Arkansaw Kid set for rich spring targets after Group 2 Gilgai Stakes at Flemington

Lindsay Park has several rich races in their sights for Arkansaw Kid after the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes at Flemington on Saturday.

Lindsay Park has seven-figure options aplenty to consider for Arkansaw Kid after the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) on Saturday at Flemington.

While a spot in $20m The Everest is unlikely, with slots filling up fast, trainer Ben Hayes has the $2m consolation Sydney Stakes on the same day circled on the calendar.

“I’d say he’s up there (with best sprinters) but he needs to convince people, if he convinces them on Saturday you never know, we can be hopeful,” Hayes said.

“The ($2m) consolation is a great race as well, I’d actually like to run in that race.”

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Lindsay Park has not ruled out a tilt at the $10m Golden Eagle for Arkansaw Kid, who placed in a Blue Sapphire Stakes (1400m) and Sandown Guineas (1600m) as a three-year-old.

“We’ll keep him sprinting for now but we wouldn’t mind getting him out in trip … hasn’t won at those trips but he’s performed well … he’s a much more mature horse now.

“I wouldn’t put it (Golden Eagle) past Arkansaw … it’s definitely something we’ve got in the back of our mind, he’s got plenty of options, that’s the exciting thing, he’s sound and happy.”

Arkansaw Kid is a $7.50 equal-third elect with Ladbrokes for the Gilgai Stakes alongside Right To Party.

Arkansaw Kid holds off Skybird (left) and Buenos Noches to win the Bobbie Lewis Quality last start. Picture: Jay Town/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Magic Time is a $5.50 favourite from Sghirripa ($7) and I Am Unstoppable ($7).

Arkansaw Kid won the Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) last start at Flemington,

“I’d expect him to be very competitive again,” Hayes said.

“As everyone knows, the stable has a high opinion of him.”

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In his first three starts as a gelding, Arkansaw Kid has won twice and been runner-up.

“He’s a racehorse now, he’s not copping a bump and … having a little sook,” Hayes said.

“He’s copping a bump and going, ‘Grr let’s go’, we’ve got a fun racehorse on our hands.

“He could be racing for some big money his next three, four starts, it’s exciting, and it’s so worth it, gelding horses now, with so much prizemoney in Australia.”

Arkansaw Kid with an incredibly tough victory to hold them off!💪@[e-mail]/qorVKlFLJQ

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Hayes, who trains in partnership with brothers JD and Will, has a host of Flemington runners including Poifect in the Group 2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes (1400m).

Poifect showed fight and grit to win a 1400m Benchmark 84 first-up after a long break.

“We’re very happy with her, it was a first-up run, she just peaked late but she went into it with a lot of improvement, we’ve got a very high opinion,” Hayes said.

“We’ll keep her to 1400m the next two and then we’ll have the option of going in the Empire Rose (on Derby Day) or the big $10m race, the Golden Eagle.”

Originally published as Arkansaw Kid set for rich spring targets after Group 2 Gilgai Stakes at Flemington