The Benchmark 72 event over 1400m at Randwick on Saturday for three and four year-olds featured a short priced favourite in promising Churchill (IRE) colt Conqueror, who lost few admirers with his strong finishing second to another horse primed for a good campaign in Arnaqueur.
Trained by Jean Dubois, Arnaqueur was competitive in stakes races last season at three although struggled to win, closing out his season with a fifth in the Group III ATC Frank Packer Plate and a disappointing run at Rosehill in May.
Tuned up with a recent trial, Arnaqueur surged to the front for Tyler Schiller with a furlong to run with Conqueror charging home from last. The flashy colt in the Star Thoroughbreds colours could not quite make up the margin finishing second some two and a half lengths back, but his turn will come.
A half-brother by Astern to Group II winner Alymerton, Arnaqueur was Group III placed before today and has the potential of stakes success this spring as does the runner-up Conqueror.
He is a homebred for Woodpark Stud and has won three of 14 starts earning in excess of $185,000.
Arnaqueur is one of three winners from blueblood import Aloona (USA), a half-sister to Group III winner Galatee, the dam of Group winners Dartmouth, Manatee and stakes-winner Gaterie.
Arnaqueur is a promising horse for Darley’s Group I Golden Rose winning sire Astern, who stands at a fee of $11,000.
