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News

OTI Racing Weekend Preview | March 26, 2021

A brigade of runners will carry the navy and gold silks across Australia and Ireland this weekend!

Friday

Warrnambool

Lightly raced mare Miss Chang’e will be looking for back-to-back victories when she steps out in a 1700m Benchmark 58 affair (Race 8 – 5:00 pm). The daughter of Puissance De Lune has continued to train on since her Hamilton triumph, and we expect to see her improve again over a more suitable distance. Trainer Archie Alexander has opted to stick with experienced hoop John Allen, which leaves us confident that our galloper will be given every chance from barrier six.

Miss Chang'e

Dundalk, Ireland

Excelebration colt, Ottoman Emperor, will launch his racing career in the 2000m 3yo Maiden event (Race 2 – 3:55 am AEDT) for Johnny Murtagh. The Irish-bred three-year-old has been doing everything right ahead of his debut, according to the stable. He won a trial on the all-weather track at Dundalk last year, and the form out of this trial day has been exceptionally strong. With Ben Coen riding­ from barrier six, we’re hoping to see him put in a strong showing while taking significant improvement from the outing.

Later in the night, exciting three-year-old Catena Zapata will debut for OTI and his new ownership group in a 3yo Handicap (Race 5 – 5.30 am AEDT). He has worked well ahead of his resumption, according to trainer Henry de Bromhead. Jockey Wayne Lordan has plenty of options from barrier four, and we are confident that the son of Vadamos will be competitive in this 1600m event, despite his lack of match fitness.

Saturday

Rosehill

We have two stayers entered at Rosehill Gardens for Saturday’s rescheduled Golden Slipper meeting.

Group 1 winning gelding Quick Thinker is “spot on” leading into the Group 3 NE Manion Cup over 2400m (Race 2 – 1:10 pm), according to co-trainer Andrew Forsman. The proven stayer has continued to improve in condition since resuming and will relish the heavy surface. Leading hoop James McDonald will be set a task from barrier 13, but we have the utmost faith in James’ ability to offset the draw and find cover. 

English import Selino also lines up in the Group 3 event. Trainer Chris Waller believes the son of Champs Elysees will be a big improver here, third-up over a more suitable trip. Now reaching peak fitness, the lightly raced five-year-old can hold a more prominent position, rolling forward from barrier six under Brenton Avdulla. We expect Selino to find the line strongly in his final tune-up for the Group 1 Sydney Cup.

Bendigo

Two runners will represent OTI and our connections in the Listed Bendigo Mile over 1600m (Race 8 – 4:50 pm).

Trainer Archie Alexander is pleased with ageing marvel Gallic Chieftain ahead of his racetrack return. Alexander confirmed the rising eight-year-old has been sharp in his work and is looking forward to seeing him get back to the track under Declan Bates. We expect him to give his usual one hundred per cent effort, and hopefully, that will be enough to see him competitive from barrier 15.

The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained Inverloch also resumes in this 1600m feature. Busuttin is hopeful of a bold showing from the proven seven-year-old, suggesting that he could run a “cheeky” race despite not being fully wound up. We expect Michael Dee to take up a prominent position from barrier eight in the hope of sticking on late.

Sunday

Sale

Blue Angel has come through her debut second placing at Cranbourne in superb order and heads to Sale to contest a 1400m Maiden (Race 3 – 1:25 pm). Co-trainer Trent Busuttin has opted for the race at Sale, expecting the distance to be more suitable and the wide track to be to her liking. With Daniel Moor in the saddle from barrier four, we are confident that she will run a big race, and we are optimistic that she can break her maiden status.

Wishing connections the best of luck!