Arapaho, the defending Sydney Cup winner, is expected to forgo the majority of Sydney’s 2026 autumn carnival owing to a premature setback in his prep.

The veteran nine-year-old dealt with a foot abscess that held off his re-entry, leading to his opening barrier trial at Randwick on Thursday.

Rachel King, his consistent jockey, has a deep rapport with the Bjorn Baker-prepared gelding she rode to Sydney Cup victory, insisting the horse’s mindset is superb post the small delay.

“He looks as fresh and well as ever,” King said.

“He’s pulling his way around like a two-year-old every day. He’s like Peter Pan, he doesn’t get older.”

Yet to race beyond a midfield finish in the Melbourne Cup, Arapaho boasted two prior runs this time last year.

King accepts the time fixing the foot will compress his Sydney autumn slate, but remains positive about Queensland prospects.

“He might miss some of these main races at carnival time, but we’ve got Brisbane as well. There is no rush,” she said.

“He might end up being more at the back end of the carnival here, and then Brisbane.”

Returning to Sydney mere weeks after a prosperous Japan campaign—marred by a snow-postponed card—King hit stride immediately.

Toplight was steering Darlinghurst, half to elite Forever Young.

“I got to ride Forever Young’s little sister. She won earlier in the day, and he won on the Saturday night, so that was cool, getting to ride horses like that,” King said.

“I ended up with sixteen winners in a month and a couple of stakes winners.

There were two weekends where I rode five winners each weekend, so it was another successful trip.”

She notched a brace at Warwick Farm Wednesday, escalating to Midway Handicap victory with Zenmaster at Randwick Saturday. Dive into racing betting markets for the autumn action.