A busy weekend awaits our racing partners. Runners are set to feature in both Melbourne & Sydney on Saturday before Auyantepui makes her OTI debut in the G2 Italian Oaks.
At Flemington, Selica (barrier 13) backs up after last week’s 4th placing at Caulfield. The 3yo daughter of Makfi was strong to the line and the Silver Bowl Series Final (Race 7 – 3:30pm) run over a mile is sure to suit. Phillip Stokes has given her a quiet week after she pulled up well from last week’s race.
Grey Lion (barrier 17) and Romancer (barrier 12) both contest the Listed Winter Championship Series Final (Race 8 – 4:05pm) over 1600m.
Romancer has come through his run at Flemington on June 20 well according to trainer Grahame Begg. After enduring a tough run, he wasn’t able to finish off with jockey Jordan Childs being kind to the horse over the concluding stages.
The 6-year-old steps out to the mile with the benefit of three runs behind him and will be looking to replicate his performance from 2019, where he finished 2nd in last year’s series final.
Matt Smith is looking forward to the return of Grey Lion. In what is his first run since last spring, the 8-year-old continues to please in his work. The race was identified as a logical starting point as he progresses further in distance over the coming months.
A winner of his past two starts at Geelong, Tigre Royale (barrier 15) makes the trip north to contest a BM78 over 2400m at Randwick (Race 6 – 2:30pm).
After enjoying a career best preparation that has resulted in three wins over the 2400m distance range, trainer Archie Alexander has been taken by the horse’s improvement. He looks forward to testing him at metropolitan level in Sydney for the first time.
Unbeaten 3-year-old filly, Auyantepui, is a leading chance in Italy’s fillies feature on Sunday. OTI moved to secure a 50% interest in the daughter of Night of Thunder on the back of impressive performances in the lead up to the Oaks.
A winner over 2000m at Listed level last start, the filly has continued to please her trainer Nicolo Simondi and should prove hard to beat should she run to the level she has previously demonstrated.
Last start winner Mirann is entered to race on Sunday at Cork in a 4yo race over 2400m. Trainer Johnny Murtagh is still to accept, with a Listed race at Roscommon on Tuesday another suitable target. Should he take his place, another strong showing can be expected from the progressive stayer.
Best of luck to all those involved across the weekend.
Terry Henderson’s thoughts on all the racing action taking place this weekend can be found here.
