It’s Finals Day at Flemington on Saturday, and OTI will be handily represented. Two runners will seek their share of the feature stakes money on offer.
Knobelas has been a revelation in this preparation for the Price Kent Racing team. A start to her career delayed, patience has been rewarded with an impressive albeit unlucky 2nd placing on debut, followed by dominant wins at Pakenham and Sandown, leading into Saturday’s Silver Bowl Final over 1600m.
Knobelas wins at Sandown last start.
Saturday’s final will be hotly contested, with Knobelas’ most formidable opposition considered likely to be Kalkallo. Kalkallo has sustained consistent performance over a long period and deserves his topweight and rating. As one of the lighter-raced brigade and fresh onto the scene, we hope that is an advantage for Knobelas. Drawn well in barrier 3, she should get the run of the race.
Later in the day, French import Nearco Frod is set to contest the Mahogany Challenge Final over 2500m. Following a progressive run two back at Flemington early in June over 2000m, Nearco Frod was a touch disappointing in his final lead-up race two weeks ago over the same course and distance. He is, however, looking for the extra journey now and has claims on this race.
Nearco Frod finishes 3rd at Flemington in June.
Expected race favourite Shockletz has had the measure of Nearco Frod in their recent confrontations; however, the weight swing now favours our charge. While the wide gate (barrier 18) could be seen as a negative, our inclination is that Nearco Frod is better suited to the outside of horses and allowed to go through his gears more so than race through a gap. The wide gate assists him in finding that preferred pattern.
The Flemington card holds just some of the action for OTI this Saturday, with prominent runners elsewhere across Australia. Hezashocka will likely back-up from his last start 4th at Group 3 level last Saturday and contest the Listed Caloundra Cup at Sunshine Coast. He is desperate for wetter conditions and may find them on Saturday.
Green Fly has been accepted to run in the Listed Winter Stakes at Rosehill and will have his admirers. His barnstorming win three starts back is not easily forgotten, and he has been consistent if not unlucky since then. He is another seeking suitable track conditions to show his best. He will be joined on track by Cloudland, who has trialled well in the lead-up to his return.
A big day looms for followers of the OTI silks.