A fabulous start for young Darley Stud stallion Harry Angel (IRE), with his first runner Arkansaw Kid overcoming a tough run to capture the $500,000 Inglis Banner (RL) at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
Ridden by Damien Oliver for Ben and JD Hayes, Arkansaw Kid not only picked up the $300,000 winner’s cheque but collected a bonus $200,000 for his all-lady syndicate.
Caught three-wide the trip, Arkansaw Kid defeated Mexico, a $375,000 Inglis Classic Capitalist colt, by a half-length, with a length and a quarter back to the Pierro filly Opportune, who completed an Inglis Classic sweep.
“It’s such a great initiative by Inglis to pick up $200,000 just for jumping out the gates. Huge for the owners - they’ve already paid for the horse in one run and he’s already well paid them now,” Ben Hayes said.
“He did a lot wrong. He was three wide, off the bit and didn’t really look to handle The Valley, but I think his class runs through the line.
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uo;JD and I have had runners in the first four two-year-old races and won two of them.
“Last year we might have got our two-year-olds a bit wrong. We changed a lot of things around and used Dad’s way of training, and I think it is working from what we can see so far.
“All of our two-year-olds are a lot sharper, so it is really exciting, and I think this guy has ability and a good start for (sire) Harry Angel.”
Damien Oliver said Arkansaw Kid has plenty to offer.
“He’s got nice scope, he’s got nice length about him. He’s not just an early two-year-old, I think, so the future is good for him,” the champion jockey said.
Consigned by Sledmere Stud to the Inglis Classic, Arkansaw Kid was knocked down to Lindsay Park Bloodstock for $190.000.
Bred and part-owned by Philippa Duncan Bloodstock, the son of Harry Angel (IRE) is the sixth foal and third winner for the Exceed And Excel mare Florabella a three-quarter sister to Group 1 CF Orr Stakes winner Shinzig (Danehill) and Listed winner Strada (Danehill).
A daughter of Group 1 Coolmore Classic heroine Shindig (Straight Strike), Florabella has a yearling filly and colt foal by Harry Angel (IRE).
A son of Dark Angel, Harry Angel (IRE) was a top-class sprinter in Europe with victories in the Group 1 July Cup and Group 1 Sprint Cup on his CV.
Arkansaw Kid is the first stakes-winner anywhere in the world for Harry Angel, who stands the current season at Darley NSW at a fee of $16,500.
