It was a fruitful weekend for OTI and our owners, posting a quartet of black-type performances, highlighted by a stakes victory across the Bass Strait and an elite-level Group 1 placing over the wider divide, the Tasman.
Leading the charge was Kazaru, who delivered a deserved breakthrough in the Listed Tasmanian Oaks. Stepping up in trip from a last start maiden victory, the progressive filly defied an inconsistent race tempo, asserting herself when it mattered most to secure a valuable win and underline both her immediate racing prospects and future broodmare credentials. Much credit goes to Luke Currie, who gave the filly a quality steer, and the Phillip Stokes team for the success. Kazaru will now be prepared for the Adelaide 3yo Carnival, where the Stokes & OTI partnership could aim to defend their SA Derby title, won by Femminile in 2025.
Kazaru wins the Listed Tasmanian Oaks
Single Red enhanced her burgeoning reputation with a brave third in the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks. Competing at the elite level over a testing staying journey, the filly loomed as a potential winner at the 300m before being overtaken late in the race. The winner, Ohope Wins, looks like a legitimate star, and Single Red can now look toward the Queensland Carnival to seek stakes success over more suitable journeys.
Saganti continued his positive progression when finishing third in the Listed Victoria Gold Cup. In a truly run contest at Caulfield, the French-bred stayer fought on resolutely, having led for most of the race, but could not withstand the finishing effort of Magnaspin. This was Saganti’s first black-type performance in Australia for the Price Kent Racing team, after a Group 3 placing in the northern hemisphere prior to his relocation. That run should top off his fitness well, so we’re excited to see how he fares next time out.
Rounding out the weekend, Highland Bling delivered a gallant second in the Group 3 Lord Reims Stakes in Adelaide. Second-up over 2600m proved a minor step too far, just tiring on his run over the final 50m to be nabbed right on the line by Eventually. An official margin of 0.01 lengths attests to his competitiveness. The Group 2 Adelaide Cup in two weeks looms as his next opportunity to win at a higher level.
Highlang Bling finishes 2nd in the Group 3 Lord Reims Stakes
With the Autumn Carnival now here, it was great to see this quartet prove they’re worthy of big targets over the coming months.