3 minute read

Lightly-raced Irish import Long Arm has made a successful debut in Australia claiming the $125,000 #Lovethehorse Trophy at Flemington in a stirring finish.

The five-year-old, to southern hemisphere time, won his first two starts at Gowran Park and Dundalk in 2019 before having one more start, finishing fourth in a Listed race at Limerick before being purchased by Gelagotis and his brother Manny. 

That Limerick contest is a strong form reference in Australia as second in that race was Pondus, runner-up in the Bendigo Cup and Queen Elizabeth Stakes during the spring. 

Jordan Childs was the recipient of Craig Williams being stood down pending a COVID-19 test having spent a period of time holidaying in Sydney in recent weeks. 

Enjoying a good run, Childs bided his time aboard Long Arm  ($8.50) until entering the straight and under hard riding the pair fought off Think 'N' Fly ($10) to score by three-quarters-of-a-length with the $4 favourite Skiddaw the same margin off in third place. 

Manny Gelagotis said there was a lot to be excited about following Long Arm's victory. 

"I must thank Phil Burns of Gaelic Bloodstock," Gelagotis said. 

"He's our man on deck overseas and we dabbled years ago with Serenade The Stars, a lower grade import, and he assured me that this horse was the real deal. 

"He got on top of it before it got into the open market. 

"It was meant to be a warm up today but if that was a warm up then there's a lot to be excited about. 

"He's been pretty bombproof since day one. He spent a month at Caulfield from when he arrived on September 1. 

"To come to Flemington first-up in Australia on debut over a mile, for a horse that profiles like this, it is unbelievable." 

Gelagotis said Long Arm was likely to have two or three runs before a break. 

"We're dreaming. We bought him as a Cups horse but we're not sure which Cup that's going to be," Gelagotis said. 

"But going on today I think we should be excited about what the future holds." 

Long Arm (IRE) is a northern hemisphere-bred four-year-old by Rock Of Gibraltar (IRE) from the Verglas (IRE) mare Llew Law (GB) and is now owned by Manny Gelagotis. 

His career reads four starts for three wins and $102,315 in prize money.