Autumn racing continues for OTI this weekend, highlighted by Quick Thinker and Selino lining up in the Group 2 Chairman’s Quality at Royal Randwick.
South of the border, Furioso looks to add black type to his page in the Listed Galilee Series Final at Caulfield.
With seven starters here in Australia, plus Spanish Class making her debut and Catena Zapata entered for the 2000m Group 3 Ballysax Stakes in Ireland, we are looking forward to another action-packed weekend of racing.
SATURDAY
Morphettville
Trainer Phillip Stokes is happy with Blue Ocean heading into his assignment at Morphettville on Saturday in a Benchmark 72 (Race 2 – 1:11 pm) over 2025m. Having drawn barrier one and supported by the 2kg claim of apprentice Lachlan King, we expect a positive run from the NZ import.
Randwick
While the impending wet weather may not be so welcome for racegoers at Randwick on Saturday, New Zealand bred entire, Quick Thinker will welcome the softer track for his run in the Group 2 Chairman’s Quality (Race 5 – 1:55 pm) over 2600m. Trainers Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman hope to see an improved performance with Damian Lane onboard.
Fellow OTI representative, Selino is set to start in the same race [2600m Group 2 Chairman’s Quality, Race 5 – 1:55 pm] for Chris Waller. With top jock Craig Williams to ride, accompanied by the good draw of barrier three, he should be strong through the line.
Newcastle
Akatino is ready to make his Australian debut on Saturday over 1865m in a Benchmark 64 (Race 5 – 2:54 pm) for trainer Matthew Smith with Rory Hutchings on board. The Sidestep gelding will need this run with the view to stepping him up over further in the coming weeks.
Caulfield
Furioso is going well ahead of the 2400m Listed Galilee Series Final (Race 6 – 3:35 pm) at Caulfield on Saturday. After running a good race first-up, Terry Henderson and trainer Matt Cumani are confident that this is the right race for the Atlante three-year-old, and will bring him on as he prepares for a tilt at the South Australian Derby
Inverloch wraps up the Australian runners on Saturday in a 1600m Handicap (Race 9 – 5:25 pm) at Caulfield. We expect the Fastnet Rock gelding to run a good race, which should prepare him well for a more suitable option over 2000m next start.
Dundalk (IRE)
Spanish Class makes her debut at Dundalk (IRE) in a Three-Year-Old plus Maiden (Race 8 – 2:00am AEST) over 1400m. The Lope de Vega filly is looking well ahead of her assignment, and we look forward to seeing her start her racing career for Jessie Harrington.
SUNDAY
Ballarat
Armansky will get a run as first emergency at Ballarat on Sunday for trainer Matt Cumani. The son of Mongolian Khan will start in a 2000m Maiden (Race 4 – 3:25 pm) with Dean Yendall booked to ride. After a pleasing gallop at Ballarat on Wednesday morning, improvement is expected in his second career start.
Leopardstown (IRE)
Following a promising first-up effort a fortnight ago, Catena Zapata has been entered for the 2000m Group 3 Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown on Sunday. The three-year-old looks to be a very promising colt and we are eager to see him step up to group company in this run.
Wishing all connections the best of luck!
