Arpinati puts forward classic credentials
The classic picture has had a couple of topsy-turvy weeks with Luger's heart irregularity and a straightforward defeat for Divine Calling, but one galloper who put his hand up in a positive way on Sunday was .
The former Italian made the SCMP list of 10 horses to follow for the season and his narrow defeat by Full Talent showed that he is headed the right way, even if others have strayed up blind alleys, and he stays under notice as a black booker.
Arpinati made that list on the basis of having been a high achiever in his home country as a juvenile, despite doing just about everything possible wrong, as well as two nice if not sensational runs at the tail end of last season for John Moore.
The gamble was in Arpinati finding his feet properly this campaign - a trick at which Moore has been very effective - and Sunday's performance was the confirmation.
A significantly slow beginner in Italy, Arpinati began well on the weekend then did pretty much everything right in running, so Moore has corrected those manners which could have been an obstacle to progress.
Jockey Joao Moreira had few options from an outside draw and was caught three wide in midfield facing the breeze, not ideal for any horse, let alone one coming off a five month break, but Arpinati still quickened strongly when he went for him.
As he and Full Talent tussled over the last 200m and drew well away from the rest of the field, the tiring Arpinati rolled in and made light contact with Full Talent, so things may have been settled in the stewards' room had the bob of heads gone the other way.
Nevertheless, to keep going as well as he did spoke volumes for Arpinati's strength and character and his performance was clearly superior to those efforts at the end of last season.
He looks ready to win next time and is emerging as a proper candidate for the Classic Mile.
Arpinati was very strong at 1,500m in Italy, so the 1,600m should not trouble him, then it is up to him to show he can stretch to longer distances in the Classic Cup and Derby.
