A busy weekend awaits OTI owners as we look to finish the year with a bang, then start it in a similar manner on New Years Day!
Focusing on our runners from Saturday onwards, we’ve a number of competitors considered live chances.
Doomben – Saturday
Eaglemont will get things underway for us at Doomben, continuing what has been a long but successful preparation. He continues to thrive and has enjoyed a month between runs, which will help alleviate the drop back to 1600m (BM85) given he last raced in the Country Classic over 2000m. Some may view that as a negative, but we feel he’s better suited over a mile, and with the services of Blake Shinn from a favourable draw, we expect him to be mighty competitive.
Lady Laguna is also heading North as she steps back into Listed grade in the Nudgee Stakes over 1200m. Her return run was terrific off an enforced lay off, and she should have taken great improvement from the outing. This looks a competitive race, with a number looking for a spot in the $1m Magic Millions Fillies & Mares event in a fortnight’s time (Lady Laguna included). She’ll make her own luck from a good draw and hopefully give her usual honest/best!
Randwick – Saturday
Step Aside is our sole representative at Randwick in the 1400m BM78, but goes there with a great chance. He was desperately unlucky not to be winning last start and is racing in good form. He’ll appreciate further when the time is right, but he’s been kept fresh and should have the necessary sprint late. Another drawn to get a nice run, we expect him to be in the finish.
The Valley – Saturday
Setosa’s owners are hoping she can take a slice of the bonuses on offer in the 1200m VOBIS Gold Carat. She is a talented filly who didn’t get the chance to show her best last start in the city, and will certainly appreciate if the Valley surface has a little more give in it. The step to 1200m will be an interesting test, but it’s a lovely race to find out in, particularly given she’s drawn to get a nice run.
Morphettville – Saturday
Two of our stayers travel to Adelaide for the 2500m BM78, one going there with a significant class drop. Win O’Clock comes back from a BM100 event and should appreciate that. He’s looked a bit one paced since his Hamilton Cup win with some freshness out of his legs, so a positive ride is needed. If he’s away well, we expect him to be prominent, otherwise Pannell won’t be afraid to put him into the race.
Sous Les Nuages is our other representative, heading there off a sound effort in midweek grade. The form from that race looks strong courtesy of dominant wins from Speranzoso and Glentaneous. He’s always around the mark and his work between runs suggests the Mortlake Cup winner is an each-way chance.
Kembla Grange – Saturday (or Nowra on Sunday)
Tenniel is engaged in two staying events this weekend as we look to test her stamina out to 2000m/2200m. She’s built/bred to prefer an endurance test, and her sound debut effort gave that impression. She’s definitely a horse still learning, and she’ll be better in 6-9 months time, but we’d love to see her take another step forward and be competitive this weekend.
Warrnambool – Sunday
Upwoods is likely our only runner on New Years Eve as he’s set to contest the 2000m Maiden. His return run was good after getting a long way back, and this journey will be much more to his liking. He’s been around the mark numerous times in Maiden grade and gets another good opportunity here with a positive ride from Dean Yendall expected.
Flemington – Monday
We hope the New Years Day meeting at Headquarters is as fruitful as last year, where San Huberto took out the Bagot Handicap. Amade will look to do the same in the 2800m Listed event. The 10yo is in great form and should appreciate getting back to a more genuine surface. Provided he doesn’t play too many tricks on us at the jump, he’ll be competitive.
Altruist and Krementz will do battle in the 1400m 3yo BM70, both with good claims. Altruist ran a tough and honest 2nd in Saturday grade last start and appears as though he’ll appreciate getting out in trip. There are no knocks on him from the stable.
Krementz was an impressive midweek Sandown winner last start and the form looks to be working out well. She’ll have to raise the bar again in a competitive race and may well be better suited out to 1600m in time, but she’s trained on very well and deserves her chance here.
Burrumbeet – Monday
Extra Elusive will close out our long weekend in the 1800m Burrumbeet Cup. His effort in the Donald Cup makes for good reading in a race like this, and we expect him to start to really hit his straps now third up. We’d love to see him get some winning confidence on his side, and this looks a good opportunity to do so.
Wishing all of our connections the very best of luck!
