In this edition of the OTI Gazette, we have a chat to Newmarket (UK) trainer James Ferguson, who will be represented next week by Melbourne Cup favourite, Deauville Legend.
We also discuss race programming in Melbourne and Sydney, look at our upcoming runners, talk about the history of bookmakers, reflect on OTI’s Melbourne Cup history and introduce Setosa, a 2yo daughter of Capitalist in training with Phillip Stokes.
All that and much more!
A CHAT WITH JAMES FERGUSON
“Yes it’s always a challenge but I had some great support, particularly from Chris Waller in Australia. The relationship has produced
Francesco Guardi and El Bodegon, who both ran very well last year. Fortunately, my racing stable is going well and we are gradually building up numbers.”
MELBOURNE AND SYDNEY RACE PROGRAMMING
“Be it the Everest clashing with the Caulfield Cup, or the Victoria Derby being on the same day as the Golden Eagle, the clashes are far from ideal. Crowds may be ok in both states, but there is growing evidence that betting turnover, the lifeblood of stakes, is impacted. Our top jockeys cannot be everywhere and, as a result, the racing product suffers.”