While The Championships have now concluded, the quest to obtain black-type victories continues this weekend, and OTI potentially has two such opportunities on Saturday. Hezashocka is set to take his place in the G3 JRA Plate at Randwick, and at the Mornington Cup meeting on Saturday, Regal Lion is an acceptor for the Listed feature.
Let’s start with Hezashocka in the 2000m Group 3 JRA Plate at Randwick. He’s drawn barrier 11 in a field of 13, with Rachel King booked to ride at 53kgs. The son of Shocking comes into the race after a competitive run in the Group 3 Selwood Stakes, which was also run over 2000m.
“We can’t get him any fitter; he is just doing maintenance work here at Rosehill and is in an excellent headspace. He worked well in his gallop and had some strong sectional times in the last few furlongs. He’s in good order for Saturday’s race.”, commented stable representative Ben Elam.
View the full field and all race details Hezashocka’s race here.
In last year’s edition of the Mornington Cup, Hezashocka was most competitive, albeit missing out on the prize by 0.1 lengths. We hope the Annabel Neasham-trained Regal Lion can go one better this year, although he is not a definite starter. The gelding is a dual-acceptor for the weekend, also having been accepted for the 2200m Open Handicap at Eagle Farm. A decision is yet to be made whether he will run in Victoria or Queensland, but the 5yo has worked well in preparation for his next start, coming off a last start 2nd placing in the Listed Albury Cup.
See the entire field and all race details for the Listed Mornington Cup here and for the Open Handicap at Eagle Farm here. While the race at Eagle Farm presents as an easier target, an opportunity for another win at Listed level and a Golden Ticket to the Caulfield Cup may be tough for his ownership group to pass up.
Best of luck to all connections of our weekend runners!
