Arki earns winter carnival campaign
Comeback galloper Arki has confirmed his credentials for a winter carnival campaign with his fifth win in a row and his first in open company at Doomben.
Arki ($1.90) sat second most of the race but came away in the final 200m to beat Yoho ($15) by a length with 1-1/2 lengths to Frightening Bolt ($10) in third place in the Open Hcp (2030m).
Trainer Kelly Doughty and her husband, former jockey Gary, have nursed the giant gelding back to health after a bowed tendon and smashed pedal bone threatened to end his career.
“To have two years away from racing and then win five in a row – well it is just unheard of. I was nervous today and then I thought well five in a row and why not,” Kelly Doughty said.
The trainer has carefully managed Arki’s comeback and will continue to do so even during his upcoming spell.
“He will have two weeks in a stable yard and then two weeks on the water walker. With his injuries I don’t want him just standing around in the paddock,” she said.
Arki will be set for the Caloundra Cup and Grafton Cup during the winter.
“He can race on the pace and just keep going at the one pace. They have got home the final 600 metres in 33.06 so he was going to be hard to run down,” Kelly Doughty said.
Tegan Harrison said Yoho had got an easy run in the lead and fought on well.
Trainer Michael Nolan was also pleased with the run of Frightening Bolt.
“When they run that type of final 600 metresectional, what hope did my horse have,” he said.