A big weekend of runners ahead for the connections of OTI, with many looking forward to the long awaited return of talented mare Lady Laguna, which will come at Randwick this Saturday.
After an unfortunate injury earlier in the year, 4yo mare Lady Laguna is making her way back to the races this weekend in the Benchmark 88 over 1100m. Lady Laguna has had a fantastic career to date, winning three of her 18 career starts, including the Listed Mick Dittman Plate at Doomben, and placing in a further 9 races, most of them at black-type level.
After two pleasing trial performances and another gallop on Tuesday, the mare heads to the races in good form.
“She galloped over 800m yesterday, improving over the last 400m and finished off strongly to the line. Her work was pretty sharp and we’re all systems go for Saturday with her.”, said Annabel Neasham to owners.
See all race details and the full field for her race here.
Also featuring at Randwick on Saturday will be Cepheus and Baby Rider, who both contest black-type races on the day. Cepheus will take his place in the Group 2 The Ingham over 1600m, while Baby Rider runs in the Listed ATC Cup over 2000m.
After his scratching in ‘The Gong’ two weeks ago due to unsuitable track conditions, Cepheus had a pleasing trial at Randwick last week and is in good shape heading into the Group 2 on Saturday. The 7yo has already won over $2,000,000 in prizemoney and has finished in first place on seven occasion with a further ten placings from 28 career starts. Another positive showing on Saturday won’t surprise.
See the full field and all race details for Cepheus here.
Baby Rider heads into the ATC Cup fourth up, after finishing 5th last start in The Beaufort over 2300m. The step back in distance is no concern and he’s at peak fitness now.
“He had a gallop on Tuesday and it was probably the best work visually he has done so far. Rachel King will ride him on Saturday and we should get in good at the weights. I think we’re starting to see some good improvement from him and the 2000m will suit well.” said trainer Bjorn Baker in an update to owners.
Find the full field and all race details for the ATC Cup here.
Also keep an eye out for our fourth runner at Randwick, Step Aside, who will run in the 1400m BM72 for
3&4yo’s following an impressive return.
Best of luck to all connections on the weekend!
