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News

Bright prospect emerges for OTI

An eagle-eyed acquisition from OTI Racing may pay dividends next year at the highest level in Europe as Vadamos colt Vina Sena impressively won on debut at Irish all-weather track Dundalk last weekend.

OTI privately purchased the colt after he finished third in a Dundalk barrier trial on August 18 with leading Irish jumps trainer Henry de Bromhead remaining as trainer.

Billy Lee rode Vina Sena in the 1408-metre barrier trial and kept the ride for his debut victory last Friday night, winning his juvenile maiden over 1609 metres by 2.25 lengths. The ease of the win was supported by a strong betting move, firming from his raceday morning price of $9 to jump $4.20 favourite.

Vina Sena’s win at Dundalk last Friday.

“That was a good start,” Lee told Racing TV after the win. “I rode him here in a barrier trial in August and that trial has worked out well with winners. I loved him that day, I thought he was a lovely horse, and I was surprised I hadn’t seen him before now.

“He’s turned up today and he’s done it well. He travelled lovely all the way around and just off the bend I angled out to give him a clear run with it being his first time out.

“He quickened up well, he would have loved a lead (horse) for another half furlong, but he’s gone about his business well. He’s done it well and he’s a nice horse to look forward to.”

OTI Racing will give Vina Sena his chance to qualify for the Classics as a three-year-old next year. He is from the second Northern Hemisphere crop of Vadamos with his Southern Hemisphere progeny including three-time Melbourne winner Rhinoceros.

Vadamos won the 2016 G1 Prix du Moulin (1609m) at Chantilly and then ended his racetrack career with fourths in the G1 Cox Plate (2040m) and G1 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) during the 2016 Melbourne Spring Carnival.

This article was written by Carl Di lorio and can be read in full through Racing.com here.