The navy and gold silks will be represented with a tremendous line up of runners throughout Australia and Ireland this weekend.
Saturday
Caulfield
Two representatives from the OTI stable will step out in the 2000m Group 3 Easter Cup on Saturday (Race 7 – 4:15 pm).
Last seen in New York winning the Group 2 Belmont Gold Cup, Amade makes his Australian debut for new trainer Phillip Stokes. The talented galloper, who has won eight of his thirteen starts, has pleased the stable since arriving early this year and impressed in his trial win at Cranbourne earlier this month. The Irish-bred gelding will need this run after a long time off the scene. He jumps from barrier five, with apprentice Will Price riding.
Night’s Watch has settled in to his new environment with Andrew Bobbin and will start under John Allen after winning a trial in impressive fashion last week. The New Zealand-bred gelding has taken to his new varied training routine and we’re hoping to see him find his form. As is usual for this fellow, he has drawn wide in barrier fourteen.
Rosehill
As the Sydney Autumn Carnival continues, two of our gallopers will continue their campaigns at Rosehill this Saturday.
Mr Satchmo continues his Sydney career with Chris Waller as he steps out in the 2000m Group 3 Neville Sellwood Stakes (Race 2 – 1:20 pm) after impressing his trainer in his most recent trial at Randwick last Wednesday. According to his jockey Tom Marquand, who also piloted the gelding in the trial, he worked through his gears well over the short run and his last furlong was very good. Hopefully we get some rain for this fellow as it will improve his chances considerably.
Popular Group 3 winning gelding, Grey Lion kicks off his campaign in the 1500m Group 3 Doncaster Prelude (Race 8 – 5:15 pm). Matthew Smith has been exceptionally pleased with the veteran galloper, reporting that he is very well, and his work has been sharp. This race is being seen as a fitness builder for 2000m plus races later in autumn. Tom Marquand takes the ride from gate 8.
Cork (IRE)
Two OTI runners will go head to head at Cork this weekend in the 2000m Hcp (Race 7 – 2.55am).
The Johnny Murtagh trained Mirann is second-up after coming out of his last run at the Curragh over a mile in great order. With added fitness, complimented by the step up in distance, this race looks to be the right fit for the former French gelding.
Alongside Mirann will be recent purchase Aesop, who is described by his trainer Jessie Harrington as a gorgeous, big, strong horse with a great attitude. Racing for the first time for OTI, he boasts a fantastic pedigree, with his sire Make Believe on the upward curve, and who’s progeny only get better with age.
Sunday
Stawell
After spending a week with Andrew Bobbin earlier in the month making use of the water walker, swimming pool and sand track, Doroza is positioned to start for Matt Cumani in the 2000m Stawell Gold Cup (Race 7 – 4:50 pm). The Medaglia D’oro gelding is in great shape ahead of the assignment and should benefit from the short freshen up. Fred Kersley rides from barrier five.
We wrap up the weekend with Sleepless who has his first run back for his Autumn campaign in a 1600m Benchmark 64 (Race 8 – 5:30pm) for trainer Archie Alexander. He’s been working very well since returning to training and we’re looking forward to seeing him back at the track under Declan Bates.
Wishing connections the best of luck!