The last two weeks have proved rewarding for OTI and our partners, following the success of Selino in the Group 1 Sydney Cup and Quick Thinker in the Group 2 Chairman’s Quality.
We look to extend our good fortune this weekend with two Friday night runners this evening at Cranbourne and Cork (IRE), kicking off an action-packed weekend for OTI. Saturday comprises ten runners set to represent our colours right across the nation. The OTI contingent of horses will feature at Randwick, Caulfield, Morphettville, Ellerslie, Wangaratta and Kembla Grange.
FRIDAY
Cranbourne
Milestone returns to the races on Friday evening in a 1600m Class 1 (Race 6 – 8:30 pm) at Cranbourne. Apprentice Josh Richards will take the sit from barrier four on the impeccably bred French import, which should give him every chance to deliver a solid run.
Cork (IRE)
Ottoman Emperor is poised to do very well tonight after coming on well from his previous run. Trainer Johnny Murtagh is pleased with the horse ahead of his 2040m Maiden (Race 1 – 10:20 pm AEST) assignment at Cork (IRE) this evening and expects a big run from the three-year-old.
SATURDAY
Randwick
The old marvel Grey Lion steps out over 2000m in the Group 3 JRA Plate (Race 4 – 1:45 pm). The rising nine-year-old has worked exceptionally well in preparation for this second up assignment and will produce a forward showing. Trainer Matthew Smith is delighted by his condition, and we believe that he can figure prominently, settling midfield with cover under leading hoop Hugh Bowman.
The Chris Waller-trained Mr Satchmo will also contest this event. Drawn in barrier ten, the son of Mr Sidney will require a superb ride by Jason Collett to prove a winning chance. However, we are confident in Jason’s ability to roll forward from the draw and sit outside the speed. We have a reasonable opinion of this galloper but would prefer a rain-affected surface on the day.
Caulfield
Blue Ocean kickstarts proceedings for OTI at Caulfield this weekend in a Benchmark 70 affair over 1800m (Race 3 – 1:25 pm). Drawn in barrier four, the Phillip Stokes-trained four-year-old maps to get a lovely run under rising young hoop Ben Allen. Phillip has been impressed by the gelding’s progress since his last start placing at Morphettville and expects another bold showing.
The Manhari Metals Handicap over 2000m (Race 7 – 3:55 pm) will host a trio of runners in the OTI colours.
Impressive last start winner, Inverloch has taken plenty of improvement from his second-up success and can again prove challenging to hold out, rolling forward from barrier nine and taking up the running under astute hoop Craig Newitt.
The Archie Alexander-trained Gallic Chieftain has drawn alongside Inverloch in barrier ten. However, Ben Allen knows the horse well and has been instructed to ride him cold from out wide and produce a strong run down the outside. Archie has been pleased by our gallopers progress since finishing midfield fresh in the Bendigo Gold Mile and expects him to thrive second up over 2000m ahead of a likely tilt at the Warrnambool Cup.
Alongside the aforementioned pair, Night’s Watch lines up for trainer Andrew Bobbin. Despite finishing back in the field at his last two attempts, the proven son of Redwood has been better than what the margin reads. He’s a dual winner at this track and trip and is more than capable of giving this a good shake based on the merit of his work in recent weeks.
Ellerslie
One of our latest acquisitions, Daqiansweet Junior, will contest the Group 2 Trelawney Stud Championship Stakes over 2100m (Race 7 – 1:35 pm). Leading local jockey Opie Bosson has been booked to ride the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained three-year-old and is sure to give him every chance from barrier one in the capacity field of 17. The extra 100m will benefit him here, and we believe that he can make amends for a luckless last start placing at Awapuni.
Wangaratta
Raffish will be out to break his maiden over 1590m for trainer Archie Alexander. The son of Free Eagle has come back in good order after being tipped out in early February, and we expect a bold showing if he can display what he has shown at home and during the back end of last preparation. Barrier one gives jockey Jake Noonan plenty of options aboard this tactically versatile type.
Kembla Grange
Progressive talent Akatino will run over 2000m in a competitive Benchmark 64 Handicap. Trainer Matthew Smith was delighted by German imports first-up third at Newcastle last fortnight and believes that he is in even better condition ahead of this assignment. Hopefully, the lightly raced four-year-old can draw a gate and put himself into the race.
We wish all of the connections the very best of luck this weekend!