Image: Bruno Cannatelli
Training trio Ben, Will and JD Hayes hoping to take another feature win in New Zealand.
Buoyed by a successful assault on the New Zealand feature races last year, Ben Hayes plans to do the same when Arkansaw Kid takes on the Railway Stakes at Ellerslie on Saturday.
The 1200-metre Group 1 event marks the start of a two-start trans-Tasman campaign for the five-year-old, similar to when the Hayes team enjoyed success with Here To Shock in the Group 1 BDC Group Sprint (1400m) in February 2024.
That victory has given the stable the confidence to go again.
“He left last week after his trial and we are very happy with him,” Ben said.
“It’s full steam ahead.”
The son of Irish father Harry Angel won an 800m jump at Flemington on January 9, after finishing third in the AU$1 million The Supernova (1400m) at Pakenham on December 13.
That has even produced two winners and one placegetter among the six starters since then.
“Last year we had success and Arkansaw Kid, I think he is a very good group two horse in Australia, who is competitive in the first group but always finds one better,” Hayes added.
“We thought it was a great opportunity to try and win a group match with him.
“With the set weights and penalty conditions, he comes in nicely in the weights.
“He will then move on to the same race that Here To Shock won, and then perhaps the Canterbury Stakes in Sydney.”
Arkansaw Kid finished second in The Meteorite (1200m) at Cranbourne on November 22, behind the Cindy Alderson-trained Jigsaw who will also start in the Railway Stakes.
*Existing customers only. 2nd racing bet. Excl SA & WA. T’s & C’s apply. Responsible gambling.
Think. Is this a bet you really want to place?
Set a deposit limit.
#Kid #ready #roll #Railway #Stakes #horse #racing