Arabian Gold Works Home Strongly In Barrier Trial

Arabian Gold worked home strongly to record an impressive win in a barrier trial over 1200 metres at Royal Randwick this morning.

Arabian Gold remains a chance of returning to racing in the 2015 Coolmore Classic at Rosehill Gardens on March 14. Photo by: Daniel Costello

Arabian Gold remains a chance of returning to racing in the 2015 Coolmore Classic at Rosehill Gardens on March 14. Photo by: Daniel Costello

Arabian Gold was included in the entries for the opening barrier trial of the morning and he was settled behind the leading group in the early stages of the barrier trial, while the Gai Waterhouse-trained duo of Ryker and Harir battled for the lead.

The Dubawi mare started to work into the barrier trial coming around the turn and she was taken to the outside of the field by jockey Kerrin McEvoy before she responded well when asked for an extra effort by the leading hoop.

Ryker kicked away from his rivals at the 150 metre mark, but Arabian Gold flew down the outside to finish over the top of Ryker and record an impressive win; with the Group 1 placegetter working home in a time of 34.7 seconds.

Trainer David Vandyke was on hand to watch Arabian Gold in action and he told Sky Racing HQ that he was happy with the effort of the talented mare and is confident that she will take plenty of benefit from the trial.

“Kerrin just let her relax early in the trial and find a nice position,” Vandyke said.

“When they straightened he kept her balanced up and I said to him before the trial that I wanted the last 300 to be race pressure and don’t pull any punches.

“He gave her a good squeeze and a slap and she picked up in terrific fashion.

“She was happy to pull up after the line and she has run quicker closing sectionals than the trial itself.

“She had a good blow and her recovery was good.

“She was quiet nervous going into the trial, but after she cooled down she was happy and walked around with her ears pricked.

“It looked very comfortable.

“She has made good improvement and today was a test to see if she had come back this preparation and I was very with that.”

Vandyke revealed at the end of last year that he was considering setting Arabian Gold for a first-up tilt at the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 14, but Vandyke revealed this morning that he could resume his star galloper in the Group 3 Guy Walter Stakes (1400m) at Warwick Farm on February 28.

McEvoy has ridden Arabian Gold in both trials this preparation and the leading hoop will be the regular rider of the mare this campaign; with regular rider Blake Shinn committed to riding First Seal this

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Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.