Signup to Ladbrokes

Races.com.au Favourite Bookmaker!

SPRNGC

Copy Signup Code

Code for tracking purposes only

Chances are you're about to lose.

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au

A quick seven-day back-up into the 2025 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield could be on the cards for Lindsay Park‘s in-form Arkansaw Kid after he saluted for the punters with a half-length win in the Group 2 $300,000 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) down the Flemington straight on Saturday.

The Harry Angel five-year-old improved on his back-to-back lead-up seconds to put a half-length on Star Patrol, who won the event back in 2023, as the $3.20 favourite with Media World third in the Bobbie Lewis trifecta on Makybe Diva Stakes Day.

It was the gelding’s first win in 12 months since his success in the same race in 2024 making Arkansaw Kid the first back-to-back Bobbie Lewis Quality winner Zoutori (2019-20).

Arkansaw Kid drew barrier two and enjoyed a dream run under Blake Shinn. Tracking eventual third placed Media World down the rail, Shinn timed his run perfectly, unleashing the five-year-old at the clock tower to surge past the leaders and hold off Star Patrol ($7) by half a length, with Media World ($8) a further three-quarters of a length away in third.

“He gives you confidence. We just counted to ten, waited for the clock tower, and pushed the button. The winkers helped sharpen him up and he savaged the line,” Shinn said.

The winning time was a slick 1:08.93 on a good surface.

“It was a beautiful watch,” co-trainer JD Hayes told Racing Victoria.

“He finally drew a barrier when he was able to sit a bit closer. He’s run terrific in his last two, but he’s had to go back from bad draws and today it was just a beautiful watch.

“He was really travelling well at the clock tower, and it looked like Blake had plenty of horse there and he was strong to the line.

“It was a well overdue win for the ownership group who have been incredibly patient. He’s been a bit of a bridesmaid so it’s good to get the result.”

The performance reignited Group 1 ambitions for the Hayes-trained galloper who is now being considered for a short turnaround into the $1 million Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) on Underwood Stakes Day this weekend.

“He’s a horse that is never far away and we’ve always thought he was a Group 1 horse,” Hayes said.

“There is the Sir Rupert Clarke we might consider backing him up in.

“We’ve never backed him up before and he might be a terrific back-up horse the way that he travels.

“He might travel that little bit kinder and the little gear change today, the winkers helped. It got his mind on the job, and he put the race to bed which was good.”

Arkansaw Kid has firmed in from $26 to $15 in the latest 2025 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes odds at Ladbrokes.com.au to salute over further than 1200m for the first time in his career.

WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.

This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team.