Arkansaw Kid is back in the frame for a Group 1 assignment after stamping his authority in the Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday.

The Lindsay Park-trained gelding became the first horse since Redkirk Warrior to win consecutive editions of the Bobbie Lewis, holding off Star Patrol and Media World to deliver on the promise shown earlier in his campaign.

Co-trainer J D Hayes confirmed the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield next weekend is firmly on the table. “We might consider backing him up,” Hayes said. “He’s never done it before, but the way he travels, he might be a terrific back-up horse. The winkers helped today and got his mind on the job.”

Sent out the $3.20 favourite with Blake Shinn aboard, Arkansaw Kid travelled sweetly from a good draw before powering home to beat Star Patrol ($7) by a half-length, with Media World ($8) a further three-quarters-of-a-length away.

Hayes said the five-year-old has matured into the complete racehorse. “He’s always shaped like a Group 1 horse and today he proved it. He’s been unlucky from wide gates this prep, but today he got the right run. It was a beautiful watch.”

The win was described as a fitting reward for a patient ownership group after Arkansaw Kid’s near-misses in top company, including a narrow defeat in last year’s Supernova at Pakenham.

Punters can follow updated markets for the Sir Rupert Clarke and other spring features via Australia’s leading betting sites.