A brigade of OTI runners will feature at Flemington on the final day of Cup Week. Plus, runners at Te Rapa, New Zealand and Naas, Ireland over the weekend.
Flemington
Barade will contest the first race on the card, a Benchmark 80 over 2000m (Race 1 – 12:25 pm). The Archie Alexander trained gelding has come through his last start at Caulfield well and has enjoyed a short freshen up at the beach over the past fortnight. With Declan Bates riding from barrier 2, we expect to see him hitting the line well.
Doroza also features in Race 1, for Matt Cumani with Glen Boss piloting. Cumani is delighted with the horse’s progress, commenting that he has been “working the house down at home” and is in the best possible form going into the race. Whilst the field is competitive, he should put in a good performance.
Three OTI runners will feature in the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes over 2600m (Race 5 – 2:55 pm).
Gallic Chieftain contests the race for Archie Alexander, with John Allen in the saddle. The eight-year-old has pleased in his work at home since his 5th placing in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup a fortnight ago. He is in great shape, and from barrier 8 we expect him to be right in the mix.
Stablemate Haky also races in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes for Archie Alexander. He put in a terrific effort to finish 3rd in the Bendigo Cup and is in wonderful form ahead of the race. With Jamie Kah riding from barrier 7, we hope he can get into a nice rhythm and find the finish line strongly.
Last year’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner, True Self looks to defend her title in the race. She has been working superbly after narrowly missing out on the Melbourne Cup field, according to Willie Mullins’ travelling foreman, David Casey. With Hugh Bowman riding from barrier 2, we anticipate that she will get a lovely run and think she is a real chance.
Chaillot backs up in the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes over 2000m (Race 7 – 4:15 pm). The promising mare put in a super effort to finish 4th in her first Group 1 assignment in the Empire Rose Stakes last weekend. She has come through the run well and with Declan Bates riding from barrier 4, we expect her to be very competitive.
Te Rapa, New Zealand
Vee Cece steps out in an Open Handicap over 2100m (Race 7 – 2:03 pm AEDT) for Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman. While her run last Saturday was below expectations, she has pulled up well and worked perfectly this week. Jumping from barrier 3 with Lynsey Satherley in the saddle, we hope to see her show improvement and perform well.
Naas, Ireland
Camphor has been entered to run in the Listed Finale Stakes over 2380m at Naas (Race 5 – 1:35 am Sunday AEDT). The Camelot mare steps out for Jessie Harrington, in what will be her final race for this season. Conor Hoban will ride from barrier 4, and we are hoping she has taken improvement from her last start and will put in a strong performance.
Best of luck to connections!
