Super-consistent five-year-old gelding Arkansaw Kid will be a popular favourite at Lindsay Park Racing after winning Ben, Will and JD Hayes a brand-new Ford Ranger Black for his efforts in The Meteorite and Supernova over the last three weeks.
The two $1million races – ran on Cranbourne and Pakenham Cup days – formed the Southside Slot Series; Australia’s first-ever thoroughbred Slot Racing Series ran for the second time this year.
Each of the 14 slot holders were represented by a runner in both races, with flexibility to nominate the same or different horses across the two events.
The slot holder with the highest combined points across both races won the new car, supplied by long-term Southside Racing partner Freeway Ford.
Some of the biggest organisations in racing secured slots in this year’s series, with Yulong, OTI Racing, Moody Racing, Lindsay Park Racing and the Moonee Valley Racing Club among the contenders.
Arkansaw Kid represented Lindsay Park Racing in both events, securing 13 points for running second in The Meteorite and 12 points for his third-place finish in The Supernova on Saturday.
Moonee Valley Racing finished one point back on 24, with Jigsaw (14 points) and Pinstriped (10) representing the slot holder well.
Unfortunately for the host club, Southside Racing, their representatives finished last in both races to see them tailed off from the field.
But that result failed to diminish the club’s enthusiasm for the series.
“The Slot Series has quickly become a highlight of Victoria’s racing calendar, bringing together an extraordinary mix of competition, innovation, and community spirit,” Southside Racing CEO Neil Bainbridge said.
Beyond the track, the Southside Slot Series continues to champion local causes, donating $20,000 to grassroots organisations and community groups that share Southside Racing’s values of connection, inclusion, and support.
This year’s beneficiaries were: Ace Foundation, Backpacks 4 VIC Kids, Beyond Racing, Cranbourne Community House, Devon Meadows FNC, Equine Pathways Australia, Kooweerup Cricket Club, Kooweerup Senior Citizens Club, Ladies of the Swamp Charity Quilting Group, Lakeside Pakenham Scout Group, Lillico and District Pony Club, Lyndhurst Football Netball Club, Pakenham Rotary and Upper Beaconsfield RSL Sub Branch.
“The Slot Series isn’t just about racing,” Bainbridge added.
“It’s about giving back to the communities that make the Southside what it is.
“Supporting these fantastic organisations is something we’re extremely proud of.”
SOUTHSIDE SLOT SERIES
Winner: Lindsay Park Racing (Arkansaw Kid 13 + 12).
Others: Moonee Valley Racing Club (Jigsaw 14, Pinstriped 10). OTI Racing (Zou Sensation 12 + 11). Ciaron Maher Racing (Nadal 9, Warnie 14). Ladbrokes (Need Some Luck 5, Private Eye 13). Thoroughbred Group (Watchme Win 10 + 6). Moody Racing (Sought After 7, Lim’s Kosciuszko 8). Sheamus Mills Bloodstock (Klabel 6, Gumdrops 9). Cape Schanck Racing (Jenni The Fox 11 + 3). Yulong (Soft Love 4, Roll On High 7). Carl Holt (Hedged 8, Taken 1.5). Cavallo Park (Extratwo 3, Here To Shock 5). The 308 Group (Beauty Charge 2, Hughes 4). Southside Racing (Stretan Angel 1, Proved 1.5).
COMMUNITY GROUP WINNERS
THE METEORITE: 1st: Kooweerup Cricket Club (Jigsaw). 2nd: Ace Foundation (Arkansaw Kid). 3rd: Beyond Racing (Zou Sensation).
SUPERNOVA: 1st: Backpacks 4 VIC Kids (Warnie). 2nd: Equine Pathways Australia (Private Eye). 3rd: Beyond Racing (Arkansaw Kid).
