The weekend ahead is a busy one here on Australian soil for OTI and its partners, with our maiden runners leading us into the weekend.
Miss Carboni steps out for her first race start for Archie Alexander Racing at Terang, looking to make a mark in her debut 1200m maiden. The Seven Falls is also looking to surpass his maiden status for Bjorn Baker, hitting the track at Orange over the 1600m journey. To the north in Queensland, maiden runner Savvy Acquisition also takes to the turf over 1600m at Sunshine Coast for their twilight meeting.
Joining Savvy Acquisition on the Sunshine Coast is Shakopee for the Haydon stable in a 1600m handicap. Carrying the top weight of 59.5kgs, Shakopee is a horse that will relish in the added distance with Tony indicating that a mile and beyond will enable him to show his best.
We look to the Ballarat Cup meeting on Saturday where we have four runners engaged, two of which head to the feature race of the day. So Far Sokool jumps from barrier three of twelve in the first race of the day with Lucinda Doot in the saddle claiming 3kgs from her 60.5kg weight allocation. A small filly with plenty of attitude, the drop in weight and stepping down in class from her last run at Group 3 level, So Far Sokool looks to be ideally positioned.
We then have Romanesque in action in the Champions Estate BM78 Handicap over 2300m. With the advantage of rain being forecast over the next 24hrs, we should see him right in the finish for the Dean Yendall, Jarrod McLean combo.
To the Listed Ballarat Cup, we have two contenders in that of Lord Fandango and Master Zephyr. Backing up from last week’s fourth place in the Sandown Cup, Lord Fandango is fit as a fiddle and is pleasing trainer Archie Alexander in his work leading into this weekend’s feature event. The 7yo war horse Master Zephyr has never felt better and is continuing to prove his worth heading into start number 48 for Darren Weir. Both Ballarat trained, we are hoping to see the horses represent their home track well and come home with another country cups quinella for OTI, following that of Romancer and Fastnet Latina last Sunday at Donald.
To Rosehill in New South Wales, Chris Waller has two OTI contenders in the BM88 1800m Handicap in that of Araaja and Le Juge. On a seven day back up, Le Juge is stripped fitter for the run and will be required to carry just 52kg with Jay Ford in the irons. Having had a neat 1100m trial prior to this run, Araaja has been working well leading up to Saturday and jumps from midfield in barrier six of fourteen. The distance is ideally suited for both Irish breds, so we are hoping to see improved performances.
A lone runner on Sunday in Fastnet Tempest, who contests the Listed Kilmore Cup. Fastnet Tempest comes into this race the most race fit of any runner, with what will be his 7th race start this campaign. He’ll be ready to find his feet with a drop in class from Group 3 to Listed level.
Best of luck to all connections with horses running this weekend.
