Kicking off a jam-packed 11-race card, Arkansaw Kid produced a debut for the ages on the big stage that is Cox Plate day to claim an eye-catching triumph in the 1000m Inglis Banner.
Coming into the race an untried two-year-old, it was difficult to know what to expect from the highly talented colt as he came into the race a firm $2.60.
And with the race only spanning one kilometre, a fast start would be vital, as experienced jockey Damien Oliver orchestrated a clean getaway to have the horse settle in third spot.
Surveying the field as the race approached the famous short straight at Moonee Valley, Oliver would time his run to perfection, peeling to the outside of leaders Mexico and Sailor Rum at the 200-metre mark.
From there it was a mad dash to the finish, as the two-year-old let loose down the final straight to pinch the lead in the dying moments and record a memorable 0.5L triumph.
Speaking to Racing.com post-race, JD Hayes said he was incredibly proud of the debut performance.
“That was a very good effort, he was three-wide the trip and got there in the end,” Hayes said.
“He was very green, he trialled up super, was well found in the market and that was just a tough win which was a great start to his career.
“From here we’ll see how he holds together and go from there as to what races we will look towards.”
Stablemate Optume also managed to make her way on to the podium, with a flourishing finish seeing her pinch third spot and make it a wonderful start to the day for the Hayes brothers.
“I thought it was a very professional run (by Optume),” Hayes said.
“I thought the market had them (Arkansaw Kid and Optume) a bit far apart and I liked the way she was poking through there at the end.”
When it came to the running of the Cox Plate, star five-year-old gelding Mr Brightside flew the flag for the Lindsay Park stable.
The first and only Group One winner produced by the partnership of Ben and JD Hayes, there were high hopes he could add ‘Cox Plate winner’ to his budding resume, as he entered the country’s premier weight-for-age race fifth favourite at a price of $12.
With the legendary Craig Williams in the saddle, Mr Brightside jumped fairly before settling in his customary position at the back of the field.
Jostling for position through the middle portion of the 2040m race, Williams would make a move as the field approached the top of the back straight.
But a fast finish would not be enough for him to challenge for a victory, as the class of Anamoe saw it bound away to a tight 0.4L triumph, forcing Mr Brightside to settle for seventh place.
