Sydney Cup reigning victor Arapaho should skip the heart of the Sydney autumn carnival after an early-season injury.
A foot abscess interrupted the nine-year-old’s schedule, delaying his return for a first barrier trial at Randwick Thursday.
The Bjorn Baker-trained gelding maintains a special link with regular partner Rachel King, who delivered his Sydney Cup triumph, affirming his vibrant condition amid the prep adjustment.
“He looks as fresh and well as ever,” King said.
“He’s pulling his way around like a two-year-old every day. He’s like Peter Pan, he doesn’t get older.”
Arapaho’s last start was midfield in the Melbourne Cup, contrasting two runs he had logged similarly last year.
The rider concedes the foot recovery timeline shrinks his Sydney autumn window, with Queensland in sight.
“He might miss some of these main races at carnival time, but we’ve got Brisbane as well. There is no rush,” she said.
“He might end up being more at the back end of the carnival here, and then Brisbane.”
King’s Sydney comeback follows weeks after thriving in Japan, snow halting one event.
She cherished riding Darlinghurst, relative of superstar Forever Young.
“I got to ride Forever Young’s little sister. She won earlier in the day, and he won on the Saturday night, so that was cool, getting to ride horses like that,” King said.
“I ended up with sixteen winners in a month and a couple of stakes winners.
There were two weekends where I rode five winners each weekend, so it was another successful trip.”
No lag in Sydney: doubles at Warwick Farm Wednesday led to Zenmaster’s Midway Handicap score at Randwick Saturday. Keen on wagers? Visit premier betting sites for Sydney autumn specials.