For the second week running, OTI connections enjoyed a strong Saturday at the races, securing another treble. With two winners at Gosford and a third at Cranbourne, the team is in good form as we continue into the summer racing calendar.
Double at Gosford
The afternoon began with a winning double at Gosford, with victories from Lennox and King Pedro.
Lennox kicked things off with a first-up win for Annabel & Rob Archibald. After making the move across from Europe, the gelding has taken a bit of time to acclimatise but has returned this preparation a much-improved athlete. This result should give him the confidence to build into a strong preparation, with connections targeting the Canterbury night meeting on December 12, where he’ll be well suited out to 1900m.
Not long after, King Pedro delivered a dominant display, pulling clear to win by a wide margin of over eight lengths. It was his first Australian victory as well, and one that stamped him as a horse ready to make his mark in metropolitan grade. He might look to target the 2000m BM78 at Rosehill on December 6 in some stronger company, where it would be important for him to draw a good gate. If not, he might be a sneaky light weight hope in the 2400m Listed Christmas Cup at Randwick the following Saturday.
Regal Lion Strikes at Cranbourne
The treble was completed in Victoria, where Regal Lion produced a quality performance to take out The Lester at Cranbourne.
Now a seasoned seven-year-old, Regal Lion has been a consistent competitor for several years, so it was particularly pleasing to see him once again deliver in Saturday company. His next aim is likely the 2000m BM84 on Ballarat Cup Day, with the Ballarat Cup itself also a chance to be considered.
Recording three more winners was a great outcome for the team and with several of these horses now progressing toward higher-class races, there is plenty of excitement ahead.