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Noted wet track galloper Arnold produced a major upset on Saturday when he strolled home in the rating 85 High Chaparral at Coolmore 1200 at Te Rapa to score his 6th career victory and provide trainer Graham Richardson with a 100% record on the day.
The eight-year-old gelding was the only runner for the Richardson stable at the meeting with the win cementing his conditioner’s 5th place on the national trainer’s premiership with his 43rd victory of the season at a handy 5.81 strike rate.
Arnold was handled superbly by apprentice Bridget Grylls as she bounced her charge out from an inside barrier to trail the solid early pace set by Happyto Keepa and Cornelius. Grylls followed the rail for the entire journey and when the gap opened at the 200 metre mark she drove Arnold through to win comfortably by a length and a half in the smart time of 1.11.02 on the Dead 6 rated surface.
Agent Ziva, who had taken command early in the run home battled on bravely for second with One Cool Message making late ground out wide to finish third.
Richardson was confident he had Arnold ready to run a big race but wasn’t sure the improved track conditions would suit the gelding.
“He always goes well fresh and his work had been spot on but I was concerned they might go a bit quick for him on the surface as he prefers it a little wetter than that,” he said.
“Bridget came back in and said he just loved it so it worked out well in the end.
“Although he is eight he has only been lightly raced and I think he has the ability on the true winter tracks to be competitive at a good level.”
Arnold is raced by his breeders Dame Wendy Pye and husband Don who have a number of gallopers with the Richardson stable including handy stakes performer Atom Cat and last start winner Letmeby.