OTI’s long association with the Warrnambool Cup Carnival continues this week as seven representatives will carry the Navy, Gold and White colours at the three-day event.
The extensive history between OTI and the ‘Bool has been strong for over a fifteen years, dating back to 2006 when the flashy grey New Kid In Town took out the feature race.
This year, stable stalwart Gallic Chieftain returns with hopes of winning the Warrnambool Cup for the second time after an impressive victory back in 2018, while newcomers Vee Cece, Almsgiver and Vardani are set to make their Australian debuts.
TUESDAY
Vee Cece will be the first of our gallopers to line up on the opening day in a 2350m BM78. Since moving to Symon Wilde’s Warrnambool stable, the five-year-old mare has come along in her condition and relaxed well into the farm environment. Condition-wise, Wilde “couldn’t be happier”.
Having drawn barrier two, we hope to see jockey Michael Dee put her into a nice rhythm and have her attacking the line strongly.
While we have every intention of racing her on Tuesday, Vee Cece has been accepted for the feature event, the Warrnambool Cup, on Thursday. Should she run well tomorrow and bounce through the race, it leaves the option of backing her up into the Cup two days later.
Night’s Watch steps out in a 1700m Handicap (Race 8 – 3:30 pm), where he’s drawn barrier one with Ben Allen booked to ride. With the softer ground at Warrnambool, we expect to see him roll along, get into a rhythm and have every opportunity to hit the line strongly.
WEDNESDAY
Exciting newcomer Almsgiver will make his Australian debut for local trainer Matt Williams on Wednesday in a Maiden race over 1400m (Race 1- 11:20 am). He heads into this following a good trial at Camperdown last week against open class horses, where he tracked up nicely and was strong through the line. The three-year-old gelding will benefit from that trial, and though he will be ultimately looking to get over a bit of distance, if he can take a sit and find a nice run, we expect him to be in the finish.
Talented Irish import Never No More will be looking to get back to winning ways in the 1200m Listed Wangoom Handicap (Race 8 – 3:20 pm). With a good first-up record and having let down very well in the final 200m of a trial at Camperdown last week, trainer Simon Morrish will be hoping experienced jockey Craig Newitt can place him nicely in the race from barrier seven and show more of the professionalism he demonstrated in last week’s trial.
Making his Australian debut in the 1400m BM70 (Race 10 – 4:30 pm) for talented trainer Archie Alexander, Vardani is a progressive young horse. With a favourable draw from barrier three, he should settle midfield and finish off strong under leading rider Damian Lane. Alexander is pleased with Vardani, who has shown ability in his work at home and his trials, setting hopes for a good showing here.
THURSDAY
Having just his second run for this prep in the 2000m BM64 (Race 5 – 1:15 pm) and off the back of a recent trial, Sleepless seems in good form leading into this race. The son of Rip Van Winkle should appreciate the step up in trip with Declan Bates keeping the ride. Trainer Archie Alexander reports him to be holding his condition nicely through the prep.
Winner of the 2018 Warrnambool Cup, Gallic Chieftain returns to the scene of that emphatic victory where he can hopefully regain his title. Drawn a more favourable barrier of four this time around (barrier ten in 2018) with Daniel Stackhouse in the saddle, it would be a huge thrill for connections to see that distinctive white blaze hit the line in front for popular trainer Archie Alexander.
We wish connections the best of luck!