It’s no secret that OTI had an amazing spring, littered with Group and Listed wins and placings and highlighted by three Group wins at Caulfield on Guineas Day.
Lately, we’ve been asked often as to the whereabouts of our spring stars and their plans, so here is an outline of what’s coming up for OTI in the coming months:
Aloisia – Group 1 and Group 2 winner
Aloisia has spelled well and is nearing her first race start. Her first two starts are confirmed:
- G3 Vanity over 1400m at Caulfield on Feb 17
- G1 Australian Guineas over 1600m at Flemington on Mar 3
Following these two races, decisions will be made on whether to head towards an AJC Oaks in Sydney or to perhaps keep her at the mile/2000m races.
Gailo Chop – Group 1 winner
Gailo Chop has already had one jump out for Darren Weir and performed nicely over a short journey. A potential campaign could start with:
- G3 Carlyon Cup over 1600m at Caulfield on Feb 10
- G1 Australian Cup over 2000m at Flemington on Mar 10
It is likely Gailo Chop would then head up to the Sydney Carnival with various options in mind, including the Ranvet Stakes and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
Lord Fandango – Group 2 winner
Our lightly raced and progressive stayer Lord Fandango is nearing a resumption, with Archie Alexander mapping out a complete program for him. All going well, he will line up in:
- G3 Carlyon Cup over 1600m at Caulfield on Feb 10
- G1 Australian Cup over 2000m at Flemington on Mar 10
- G1 BMW Handicap over 2400m at Rosehill on Mar 31
- G1 Sydney Cup over 3200m at Randwick on Apr 14
Tom Melbourne – three-times Group 1 placed
Chris Waller is expected to give this consistent performer further opportunities to break through at Group 1 level in his autumn preparation.
- G2 Ajax Stakes over 1500m at Randwick on Mar 17
- G1 Doncaster Handicap over 1600m at Randwick on Apr 7
Tom Melbourne is likely to then target the Brisbane Carnival, with races such as the G2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) and G1 Doomben Cup (2000m) in mind.
Grey Lion – Group 3 placegetter
Has returned to work a little later than ideal, following a gelding procedure. Likely to miss the Adelaide and Sydney Carnivals, with a possible target being the Warrnambool Cup. He could then go onto the Brisbane Carnival from there.
Gallic Chieftain – Group 2 placegetter
Full race preparation yet to be determined, however, the Group 1 Sydney Cup is a longer-term target for the horse all going well.
WATCH
Others to watch over the coming period are:
Fastnet Tempest – an impressive winner at Flemington on Stakes Day, consideration is being given to a start in the G1 Newmarket Handicap over 1200m at Flemington on Mar 10.
Night’s Watch – has progressed very well over the spring/summer period and is now set to start next in the Group 3 Hobart Cup on February 11. Could follow that up with the Group 3 Launceston Cup on February 28.
Araaja – Tom Melbourne’s little sister has arrived in Australia and should run for Chris Waller over the autumn. Already a Listed winner in France.
Azuro – recent arrival for Darren Weir that appears to have a devastating turn of foot. Modest aims in the autumn, but keen to see him in the flesh.
Dusk Falls – having now recovered from a colic hiccup after arrival in Australia, Dusk Falls should be seen in action in the autumn. His French resume shows a win over the talented Darbuzan to his name.
Romancer – a Listed winner and recent G2 placegetter in NZ, there are no set plans for Romancer. However, he should be watched wherever he heads. Could potentially find himself in a Stradbroke Handicap.
Vin de Dance – didn’t quite make it to the VRC Derby in the spring, but eyes firmly on the NZ Derby in March, with the AJC Derby in April a longer-term aim all going well.
Given Time – a recent purchase for Chris Waller that is seen as a Derby candidate is either Sydney or Queensland over their carnivals.
So Far Sokool – already Listed placed on two occasions, we hope she can graduate into a winner at the level over the autumn in SA and/or Queensland
Angelic Spirit – hoping she can progress to black-type 3yo fillies races in Adelaide and/or Brisbane.
2YO Fillies – could we find another Aloisia? Star Order, Entourage, Misso, Wyetta (Aloisia’s half-sister) and our new Echoes of Heaven filly with Mitch Freedman are all expected to race in the coming months.