Saturday sees a strong contingency of four runners representing OTI in the Stayer’s Cup at Rosehill. The $125,000 race is a part of the concerted effort to build up the staying ranks, where the winter series in Sydney offers excellent stakes, allowing the true staying horses to reach the 3200m distance.
One of the leading contenders is that of High Bridge who is well averse to staying such a distance, having won a 3200m Listed race over hurdles at Newbury, England prior to being moved to Australia. By Monsun, out of a Mark of Esteem mare, the staying bloodlines are strong and we hope to see a renewed horse over further. Trainer Chris Waller is pleased with his progress and will ensure his stamina works in his favour.
“Obviously we are heading into this race knowing that he sees the journey out with great ease from his European career and this race should certainly play to his strengths”. After a strong association with the horse this preparation, Blaike McDougall keeps the ride and claims 2kg. We hope to see from barrier eight that High Bridge be ridden a little handier this time out.
After an unsuitable pace set last start, we look forward to seeing New Zealand bred stayer Plymouth Road step up to the plate over the 3200m journey. Yet to attempt this race distance, trainer Matthew Smith has ensured he’s put the miles into Plymouth Road’s legs leading in to the race and is happy with the way he is developing this preparation.
Smith has said “Plymouth Road looks in good shape and I can’t fault him. He is going along nicely leading into the 3200m race. The horse is bright and well and very much enjoying himself. The key will be to get him to relax that little bit during the first part of the race and give him every opportunity to stay the trip”. Carrying just 52.5kg with Rachel King on board, Plymouth Road has every chance in the race and with a suited tempo in running, should be right in the finish.
Having taken his place in the lead up Listed Winter Cup over 2400m a fortnight ago, Kellstorm’s target race this preparation has arrived. With the jockey failing to ride to Richard Freedman’s instruction last start, Jason Collett will now take the reins and jumps from barrier three. In fine form after a Group 1 win on Invincibella and a string of recent winners, we hope that Collett’s confidence will lift Kellstorm to figure in the finish.
A winner on the heavy tracks in Ireland and here in Australia at Warrnambool, he is a horse that relishes the wet ground, thus making Rosehill’s track conditions more than appealing. We look forward to seeing him step out on Saturday.
Joining the trio is our fourth contender Azuro for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace. The team elected to scratch from his nominated race last Saturday in favour of the Stayer’s Cup this weekend. Confident that Azuro will see the trip out well, David has stated that “he is fit enough, having put plenty of work into him at home and this race means that he will be out of the weights with a maximum of 56kg”.
Taking the blinkers off this start, “we know he stays very well, it wasn’t a very big field last year so this is suited and a race we think he can run well in”. Glynn Schofield takes the irons at 56kg and they jump from barrier seven.
To view the final acceptances for the race please CLICK HERE.
