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A strong hand in play this weekend for OTI

With ten runners at various locations throughout Australia, OTI looks to have a strong hand in play over the weekend.

Kicking off with Pakenham Cup day on Saturday, we have four runners on duty with Wee Gilly commencing this preparation in the 1600m BM70 for Archie Alexander. Having won her last start at the end of her most recent preparation in August, we hope she can continue her winning form.

Stepping up to Group 3 company last start, Angelic Spirit drops back in class to her competitive range over the 1400m at BM78 level for Busuttin Racing. A filly that enjoys regular changes in her morning work routine, Trent and Natalie have her on song mentally and physically. Linda Meech is back on board this start, so we are looking for this winning combination to overcome the widest barrier and put on a good show.

Fastnet Latina also hits the track for Archie Alexander in the mile BM70 and has been working well leading into this assignment. Hoping to go one better after a fantastic second place in the Donald Cup, he carries 6kgs less than the top weight this start, so we expect him to make it a competitive run home.

With Lord Fandango following on from Fastnet Latina in the feature race of the day, the Pakenham Cup, tomorrow’s racing conditions will suit after fading to finish last in the Ballarat cup on what was a rather wet track. A horse that appreciates the dry ground, Archie is expecting to see the horse back on his A-game.

To sunny Queensland, the Doomben TAB Origin meeting will be well underway with Le Juge and Shakopee both stepping out to represent their jockey’s respective states. Le Juge is contesting the class three 1600m race for Chris Waller in what is the first leg of the jockey’s series. A race where riders are drawn by ballot, Jamie Kah has been awarded the ride on Le Juge so the colours of South Australia will be representing OTI in the run.

Shakopee moves into the right distance markers this start and is also contesting a TAB Origin race. Represented by Matthew McGillivray in the maroon silks of Queensland, trainer Tony Haydon is hoping for an improved performance from the 7yo gelding.

A strong second place run in her career debut last start, Miss Carboni steps up to the 1300m at Stawell. A lone runner on the day for Archie Alexander, she looks to contest the race as a red-hot chance and has been ticking along nicely since her last start. A smart, athletic filly, we hope to see her go one better this weekend.

Although not entirely certain he will get the soft track to suit at Morphettville, Kellstorm heads to Adelaide to bypass the firmer tracks of Melbourne. The 2600m handicap is a race to suit and the lineup is considerably weaker than that of the Pakenham Cup which Darren Weir was originally targeting. Harry Coffey takes the ride on the day and jumps from barrier five.

Tom Melbourne’s little sister Araaja heads our interstate charge on Saturday at Rosehill Gardens. Stepping up to 2000m for the first time this preparation, top jockey Tommy Berry on board, plus the addition of blinkers, she should give a sight in the finish.

Another Sunday arrives and brings us to another country cup with Master Zephyr lining up in the 2000m Werribee Cup for Darren Weir (who also has four of the current nine runners in the race). It looks a strong race on paper, with last start Traralgon Cup winner Mahamedeis lining up, who ironically beat our own Scherzoso into second on the day. Master Zephyr will be aided by Jye McNeil, jumping from barrier four and we hope to see the war horse back in the winner’s circle.