In recapping one of the most special weeks in our history, focus undoubtedly turns to Docklands’ incredible win at Group 1 level last Tuesday. It was Race 1 on Day 1 of the Royal Ascot Carnival, and it was a performance that will be long remembered by all involved personally and by those who follow the colours around the world.
Docklands had endured a winning drought of almost two years but had raced without luck in some of the best races worldwide during that time. His ownership group was hopeful that his turn would come again, so it did in the capable hands of Mark Zahra, without his persuader over the concluding stages. Docklands would fight for his well-deserved victory and secure a maiden Group 1 success for himself and his trainer Harry Eustace.
The Queen Anne Stakes is a prestigious and valuable, stallion-making race. Its Honour Roll includes recent or current standing stallions such as Frankel, Dubai Destination, Declaration of War, and Toronado, among others. For an entire such as Docklands, its value isn’t restricted to the prize money on offer on Tuesday.
Docklands wins at Royal Ascot.
For OTI, the experience with Docklands was just the start of a magical carnival. We also won the Queen Alexandra Stakes, the final race of the carnival over 4300m, in dominant fashion with Sober. This win never appeared in doubt, positioning handy to the lead and in control throughout the distance journey.
Sober wins at Royal Ascot.
Racing for Willie Mullins and Ryan Moore, Sober was earmarked for a potential trip to Australia for the Melbourne Cup in November following his victory. He is a horse to watch out for as he chases qualification for that race.
Our success abroad almost overshadowed an exceptional week on Australian shores also. 3yo Fillies Pick ‘N’ Mix (Team McEvoy) and Knobelas (Price Kent Racing) each won dominantly and will both next be seen at Flemington on July 5. Pick ‘N’ Mix will chase valuable black-type in the Listed Creswick Stakes over 1200m, while Knobelas will contest the final of the Silver Bowl Series for her share of $150,000.
Pick ‘N’ Mix and Knobelas
She’s Unusual was another dominant winner when leading at city level on Saturday at Randwick for John O’Shea and Tom Charlton. The lightly raced mare has been a model of consistency throughout her career, notching 9 x Top 3 finishes from her 10 race starts. She appears capable of taking out a Stakes race in the future.
She’s Unusual wins at Randwick.
Our week ended on another high, producing the quinella at Murwillumbah on Sunday in the Grafton Cup preview. Stablemates Feathertop and Full of Sincerity fought out the finish in grand style, with Feathertop getting the upper hand late.
Feathertop wins the Grafton Cup Preview.
We look forward to carrying this momentum into the week ahead, with runners set to compete across four states.