First-time travellers Arkansaw Kid and Torture will fly the Lindsay Park flag at Ellerslie with a third member of the party to be on hand for the defence of a stable title early next month.
The former will step out in Saturday’s Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m) while the Hayes brothers will have another crack at the TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), this time with stakes-winning filly Torture.
To be ridden by Opie Bosson, double millionaire sprinter Arkansaw Kid booked his berth across the Tasman with victory in the Gr.2 Bobbie Lewis (1200m) followed by consecutive placings in the Meteorite (1200m) and Supernova (1400m).
“He has a great record, he’s very competitive and this preparation he’s only been out of the top three once,” said Ben Hayes, who trains with siblings Will and JD.
“He loves wet tracks so that will be in his favour as well.
“Jigsaw beat him fair and square the other day and Alabama Lass has been running to very high levels so we really respect those horses, but a wet track would bring our one into it a bit more.”
Provided he runs up to expectations, Arkansaw Kid will then front up in the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa on February 7.
“Torture will go home, but Arkansas will probably stick around and Here To Shock will run in the BCD again,” Hayes said.
The son of Shocking romped home away with the 2024 edition of the race, beating fellow Australian-trained contender Bosustow by four lengths with high-class colt Savaglee third.
“He’s fantastic, he travelled well and he’s absolutely thriving. He’s a pretty straight forward horse and is very genuine,” Hayes said.
Meanwhile, Torture will take aim at the Karaka Millions and the second youngster by Cambridge Stud shuttle stallion Helo Youmzain to do so for Lindsay Park following Hello Romeo’s midfield finish in 2025.
“She is a little bit better than the one we brought over last year, she’s a stakes winner and with Hello Romeo we questioned whether he quite ran a strong 1200m,” Hayes said.
“We’re not worried about that at all with her and she’s got a lot more quality than he had at the same time.
“We’re very happy with her and she’s spot on to run a nice race from a good barrier (five).”
Torture was a debut winner of the Listed Debutant Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield and then came from the back for fourth in the Geelong Diamond (1100m).
“We had a young apprentice on, and she just lost a little bit of contact with the field riding her quietly and her work through the line was really good,” Hayes said.
“She came through the run in excellent order and travelled over very well. They’ve been staying with Lance (Noble) at Brendan and Jo Lindsay’s place, and they’ve all been very kind to us.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
