French import & gun mare headline Saturday’s action for OTI

The feature action heads to Rosehill this Saturday where Group 1-winner Lady Laguna steps out in a $3m event, and French import Saganti is set to have his first start for new connections fresh out of quarantine.

After an interrupted start to her preparation, Lady Laguna showed she’s right on track for late-spring targets when finishing 6 th in the $2m Group 3 Sydney Stakes. Met with barrier 18of 18, she was ridden conservatively, travelling wide throughout. With good improvement to come from the outing, she was still able to record the fastest last 200m of the race.

Unfortunately, she’s drawn slightly sticky again in 10 of 12, but with a couple of runners potentially heading elsewhere, the benefit of a recent run and the step up to 1300m, the mare looks a very competitive chance in this rich event.

Lady Laguna at the beach this morning.

Saganti, a gorgeous grey son of impressive sire Zarak, will be having his first start for OTI and his new owners. Having already proved very competitive at Group level in France, including a 2 nd placing to Delius (sold for 1.3m Guineas overnight to Australian connections) in the Group 3 Prix du Lys, we’re excited to see what he can achieve in years to come.

The 2000m Group 3 Rosehill Gold Cup has been a target since his acquisition, and fortunately the colt has done nothing but please during his time with Charlie Fellowes in Newmarket, as well as at Canterbury Park once in the care of the Price Kent stable. This is a race that has worked out well for imports fresh off the plane, like OTI’s own Athabascan, who ran a slashing 4 th before going on to be a current top line stayer in Australia.

Saganti finshed 2nd in Group 3 PrixDu Lys Longines in June 2024 (green silks, white nose roll on the outside.

We wish both ownership groups the very best of luck for what shapes as an exciting Saturday.