A very busy weekend ahead for OTI & connections with 17 possible runners in 8 different locations across the globe. Our weekend will be headlined by a quartet of runners in the Andrew Ramsden, a G1 SA Derby chance and two G3 runners at Doomben. All that and more makes for an action packed weekend!
Saturday, May 13
Chester
Current Track Rating: Soft
Banderas
Banderas gets our weekend underway at Chester, where he will look to break his maiden in the early hours of Saturday morning. He travelled into his race strongly last start, but showed signs of greenness when asked for the supreme effort. With natural improvement taken from that experience, we would expect him to be running very well in this event. Michael Bell still holds high hopes for this 3yo later in the season, so hopefully he is able notch up his first win here.
Race 5 – 12:45am | 2463m 3yo Maiden | T: Michael Bell | J: Ryan Moore 60.5kgs | Barrier 6 | Saddlecloth 1
Ascot
Current Track Rating: Soft/Heavy
Docklands
Docklands may take his place at Ascot tomorrow morning, pending the condition of the track. It wouldn’t surprise to see him taken out of this event, should the track become too heavy. The horse himself is very well and the form behind him has certainly stacked up. Should he not run here, he is likely to head towards a race at Sandown in 10 days time.
Race 7 – 2:20am | 1600m 3yo Class 4 | T: Harry Eustace | J: Hayley Turner 59kgs | Barrier 1 | Saddlecloth 4
Kembla Grange
Current Track Rating: Good
Step Aside
Talented 3yo gelding Step Aside is likely to get his campaign underway at Kembla Grange on Saturday. The son of Redwood appears to have returned in great shape, following two strong trials. After a string of narrow defeats last preparation, it would be terrific to see him kick off on a winning note on Saturday.
Race 2 – 12:35pm | 1400m Maiden | T: Chris Waller | J: Lee Magorrian 59kg | Barrier 12 | Saddlecloth 7
Flemington
Current Track Rating: Soft
Aesop
Aesop currently sits at 1st emergency in this event, so he will need one more to come out if he is to gain a start. The horse himself looks to have come back as well as ever, with an extended break doing him the world of good. He has trialled sharply on three occasions leading into his return, suggesting that there is plenty in store for him over the winter months.
Race 4 – 1:40pm | 1600m BM78 | T: Phillip Stokes | J: TBA 57kg | Barrier 12 | Saddlecloth 19
Amade
To read more about Amade’s chances, click here.
Race 7 – 3:30pm | 2800m Listed Andrew Ramsden | T: Phillip Stokes | J: Zac Spain 58.5kg | Barrier 18 | Saddlecloth 7
Hezashocka
To read more about Hezashocka’s chances, click here.
Race 7 – 3:30pm | 2800m Listed Andrew Ramsden | T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | J: Blake Shinn 58.5kg | Barrier 5 | Saddlecloth 3
Selino
To read more about Selino’s chances, click here.
Race 7 – 3:30pm | 2800m Listed Andrew Ramsden | T: Chris Waller | J: Patrick Moloney 58.5kg | Barrier 12 | Saddlecloth 2
Timour
To read more about Timour’s chances, click here.
Race 7 – 3:30pm | 2800m Listed Andrew Ramsden | T: Chris Waller | J: Fred Kersley 58.5kg | Barrier 1 | Saddlecloth 16
Green Fly
Green Fly is another horse that looks set to make his race return on Saturday. The son of Frankel showed a liking to rain affected tracks in his first Australian preparation, so hopefully there is enough give in the ground for him on Saturday. He is an entire with plenty of upside who should be well suited by the wet tracks throughout the winter season. The Freedman team do expect him to improve off whatever he does on Saturday.
Race 8 – 4:10pm | 1400m BM100 | T: Anthony & Sam Freedman | J: Michael Dee 53kg | Barrier 16 | Saddlecloth 13
Doomben
Current Track Rating: Soft
Cepheus
Cepheus races over 2000m for the first time since his G2 Hill Stakes placing behind Think It Over. He did race a touch keen over the mile last time out, so it will be important that he switches off in the run on Saturday. With an ideal draw and the services of Nash Rawiller, he should get every chance to acquit himself well here.
Race 6 – 2:43pm | 2000m Group 3 Chairman’s Handicap | T: Matthew Dunn | J: Nash Rawiller 58kg | Barrier 6 | Saddlecloth 3
Stuck With You
In the same event, Stuck With You will be tested at Group level for the first time in his career. He will need to improve to be competitive in this class, but the 7kg weight drop from his last run will certainly be of assistance.
Race 6 – 2:43pm | 2000m Group 3 Chairman’s Handicap | T: Matthew Dunn | J: Kerrin McEvoy 54kg | Barrier 4 | Saddlecloth 14
Morphettville
Current Track Rating: Soft
Bengal Boy
To read more about Bengal Boy’s chances, read here.
Race 7 – 3:42pm | 2500m Group 1 SA Derby | T: Matt Cumani | J: Declan Bates 56.5kg | Barrier 7 | Saddlecloth 6
Sunday, May 14
Ballarat
Current Track Rating: Heavy
Chiaro
Chiaro ran an improved race first-up and has trained on well in the lead up to this race. The heavy track does pose a query for this fellow, so it will be interesting to see how he handles the going. Having shown a tendency to race keenly in the past, it would be pleasing to see him do things right in the run and attack the line with some intent on Sunday.
Race 2 – 12:40pm | 1200m 3yo Maiden | T: Matt Cumani | J: Jarrod Fry 58kg | Barrier 3 | Saddlecloth 1
Self Worth
In the same contest, Self Worth will make her stable debut for Reece Goodwin. The filly has pleased Reece since joining his stable so we are hopeful that the new environment will help spark her up. A soft draw should see her enjoy a nice run in transit and the going shouldn’t pose a concern for this mare.
Race 2 – 12:40pm | 1200m 3yo Maiden | T: Reece Goodwin | J: Jack Hill 56kg | Barrier 5 | Saddlecloth 11
Daiquiri
Daiquiri’s performance in his Australian debut was outstanding, so we are most excited to see what the future holds for this lightly-raced gelding. Sunday’s race appears an ideal stepping stone for him, however the Busuttin & Young team will keep a close eye on the Ballarat track conditions. A heavy track would see him saved for a race at Sandown on Sunday week.
Race 5 – 2:30pm | 2000m BM78 | T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | J: Jake Noonan 57kg | Barrier 6 | Saddlecloth 5
Notes
Notes rounds out our day in the final event at Ballarat. Having attended to some niggles at the end of last campaign, Lindsey has been very happy with the horse this time in. His return during the Warrnambool carnival was encouraging and he looks ideally suited by the step up to 1400m on Sunday.
Race 8 – 4:30pm | 1400m BM64 | T: Lindsey Smith | J: Beau Mertens 60kg | Barrier 3 | Saddlecloth 8
Best of luck to all connections for the weekend!