A Group 2 Avondale Guineas placegetter in February, Interlinked is set to kick off his spring campaign, one of a handful of OTI acceptors for Sandown on Wednesday.
Interlinked, third in the Guineas before tiring late for 5th in the Group 1 New Zealand Derby, both behind boom NZ mare Orchestral, was given a six-week spell following his disappointing return to Australian racing in April. Opting to skip the SA and QLD Derbies with a view to his future racing career undoubtedly was the right decision.
Interlinked finished 3rd in G2 Avondale Guineas (NZ).
Interlinked is scheduled to resume in Benchmark 78 grade over 1400m for Luke Currie and the Busuttin/Young team. With three local trials under his belt, we should gain a good understanding of his quality early in the campaign. It is hoped that he will quickly race through his grades this preparation and potentially measure up to Country Cup level in November/December.
In Wednesday’s race, Interlinked will face some friendly fire in the form of another OTI-owned galloper, Step Aside, who will be ridden by Blake Shinn for Chris Waller. Unlike Interlinked, Step Aside is hard fit, having been in work across the winter and he will be having his 5th start for the preparation. Gaps between his runs due to unsuitable ground or poor barrier draws mean that the preparation has been a little stop/start. He was held up at a crucial stage last start and is considered in good form. Step Aside should be listed amongst the leading chances in Wednesday’s affair.
See the full field and all race details for Interlinked and Step Aside here.
Later on the card, Daiquiri has accepted to run in the 1800m Benchmark 70 Handicap for Jake Noonan and the Busuttin/Young partnership. Unfortunately, he has drawn the outside gate in this event and may find things tough from out there if it is decided to proceed with a run. Daiquiri’s first-up run was full of merit and will prove competitive wherever he next races.
See all race details and the full field for Daiquiri’s race here.