The Stirling Osland-trained three-year-old gelding son of Salade had to work hard early to cross from a wide barrier and lead before fighting off all challengers and surging to a length and a quarter win from Tracey Bartley’s Al Pheroz. John Hine’s Delete was a nose away third.

Arugula clocked 1min 10.69secs on the Good 4 surface to win at his fifth attempt and his second for his Armidale trainer.

He had debuted for Stirling Osland at Armidale on June 5 when third to Grove Street over 1100m on his new home track.

“He got a long way back at Armidale,” Stirling Osland explained.

“We wanted to ride him a bit more forward and be positive today although we didn’t plan on leading. I thought he was looking for 1400m and the 1200m might be a bit too short for him.”

Ben Looker rode Arugula and was impressed.

“He’s still very new,” he told Stirling Osland as he unsaddled.

“As soon as he straightened he wanted to get on one reign and get out. He’s still learning.”

Looker believes the chestnut gelding will run 1400m or a mile on that performance.

“He had to do a bit of work early,” he said.

“Once he got rolling he got in rhythm and came right back underneath.”

While Arugula tried to get out in the straight once he straightened he got through the line impressively to suggest there are some nice races in store for him over the 1400m and 1600m as Ben Looker said.