Paradia kicks off a busy period overnight at Saint-Cloud in a 2100m 3yo Handicap in France. Trained by Mikel Delzangles at Chantilly, the filly is continuing to work well coming off the back of a harsh European winter that saw plenty of snow shut down the racetracks. Mikel is pleased with her progress and hopes to see an improved performance on a firmer track this preparation.
Azuro steps up in distance this weekend at Morphettville in Adelaide, contesting the $100,000 BM86 over 2250m for the Ciaron Maher Racing team. Running a solid race in the Yarra Valley Cup last start, his improved trial and race fitness will see him at his best over this distance and larger track. He has enjoyed a recent freshen up at Balnarring beach and looks primed for this run.
Below: Azuro and Ben Allen
Romanesque will be representing OTI on Saturday in race two at Caulfield for the BM78 over 1600m. A recent track gallop on the course proper at Camperdown has the horse on song for his second-up run this preparation. Trainer Jarrod McLean believes he will appreciate the extra furlong and will continue to improve this campaign as he gets up over 2000m.
Also running at Caulfield, Fastnet Tempest is back to his preferred distance of 1400m in the Listed Anniversary Vase and is looking to replicate last year’s win in the same race. He comes off the back of an awkward first up run at Mornington after a spell, where he didn’t appreciate the going or sharp pace. We hope to see significant improvement this run on a track he appreciates.
At Royal Randwick this Saturday, four runners represent OTI in the running of the Group 2 Chairman’s Quality over 2600m. Vin de Dance continues his Australian raid, along with Sydney-siders Casterton, High Bridge and Victorian-based Gallic Chieftain.
The Chris Waller trained Casterton has drawn inconveniently wide in the race, however has the benefit of one of Hong Kong’s leading jockeys on board in that of Karis Teetan; who will ride tactically to suit. After two disappointing runs from Casterton, we are hoping to see a significant improvement this time out over a lot further. Having won and placed in Listed races over such distances in France, we know this horse has the stamina and determination to run out the 2600m and do so well.
Chris Waller’s second contender for OTI is High Bridge. He has also drawn wide and will jump alongside Casterton. A horse that is known to stay all day, having won over distances of 3200m, he has struggled to regain his Australian form this preparation. With Corey Brown in the saddle, he carries just 53kg and with this advantage, we may well see him right in the finish.
Below: High Bridge and Kerrin McEvoy
Trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman also have Vin de Dance joining the OTI contenders in the Chairman’s and have secured leading New Zealand jockey Opie Bosson. Vin de Dance didn’t look to handle the heavy going his last two starts, so given the track will firm up leading into the weekend, we hope to see Opie bring out the best in the horse.
Archie Alexander completes the line-up of OTI hopefuls in the Chairman’s, with Gallic Chieftain travelling up from Ballarat to contest the 2600m Group 2. Archie has been varying Gallic’s work between dressage, jumping and track work in an effort to keep him fresh, fit and happy. He looks to be relishing in the change of scenery in his daily work. With a good draw in barrier one and a little luck in running, he should put on a good show at Randwick.
Also at Randwick, Aloisia takes on a strong field in this year’s G1 Doncaster Mile, coming up against the likes of Hartnell, Alizee and the in-form Fifty Stars. Training out of the Ciaron Maher Racing Sydney base, Aloisia worked on the course proper at Warwick Farm this week under Blake Shinn. Blake took her through her gears in preparation for this weekend and believes that she is raring to go. Coming through her last start in the Coolmore Classic well, she has drawn pleasingly in barrier six with Jay Ford in the saddle.
Sunday sees just the one runner for OTI, with Tony Hadyon making the most of his home track for Tucano. Tucano is looking to make amends this start, having dumped his rider last time he went to the races. Tucano came through the incident well and heads back to the mile in a Class 5 and we hope to see a strong finish this time around.
We wish all of their connections the best of luck and happy racing!
