We have an exciting weekend ahead for the OTI team and our connections this weekend!
Headlined by Hezashocka, who will make his OTI debut in the Group One Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm. We also have runners stepping out at Caulfield, Rosehill and Morphettville on Saturday, along with Ballarat and Vannes in France on Sunday.
Saturday
Eagle Farm
Recent acquisition Hezashocka will line up in only his fourth career start in the 2400m Group One Queensland Derby (Race 7 – 3:18 pm). The son of Shocking has impressed both Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr since arriving in their care, and despite him being the least experienced galloper in the field, we are confident that he can make his presence felt from barrier 14 under Glen Boss.
Group One-winning entire Quick Thinker returns from a short layoff in the 1800m Group 3 Lord Mayor’s Cup (Race 4 – 1:19 pm). The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained four-year-old is reported to be feeling fresh and well going into Saturday’s race, which should help with the drop back in distance.
We expect him to run a good race under Josh Parr and take great improvement heading into the Group Two Q22 a fortnight later.
Caulfield
Yosemite will contest an 1100m 3yo Fillies Benchmark 78 Handicap (Race 2 – 12:20 pm). The Robbie Griffiths and Mathew De Kock-trained daughter of Redwood was far from disgraced last start in a competitive 1000m Handicap at Sandown when finishing fifth, and before that, she was victorious at Geelong. The extra 100 metres here will suit, and we expect her to put in a bold performance with Lewis German in the saddle.
Never No More is yet to show his true potential since arriving in Australia, However, we feel that he is trending in the right direction with Simon Morrish ahead of the 1400m Benchmark 84 Handicap (Race 5 – 2:10 pm). The European stakes winner and Group 2 runner up presents here second-up and can hopefully be running through the line well from barrier 12 under Matthew Cartwright.
Randwick
Three talented stayers will contest a competitive 2400m Benchmark 78 (Race 3 – 12:35 pm) at Randwick on Saturday.
Rider in the Snow was well-held first-up at Kensington over 1800m last month. However, the capable French import will appreciate stepping out over further ground this start, having won twice in France over 3000m. Trainer Kris Lees has been pleased by the lightly raced six-year-old’s work in recent weeks, and we expect a much-improved run here second-up over an extra 600 metres with the claim of apprentice Samantha Clenton.
The John O’Shea-trained Sound of Cannons looks primed to prevail here after flashing home to narrowly miss last start at Warwick Farm over 2400m. There he was held up at a vital stage and couldn’t get clear in time. The four-year-old son of Nathaniel has continued to improve since that run and presents here in peak condition. With Rachel King onboard, we expect a strong finish from him.
Lightly raced four-year Akatino is far more capable than what he has shown in his three Australian starts to date. We expect a much-improved performance from the Matthew Smith-trained entire based on what he has shown in recent weeks. Jay Ford has been booked to ride from barrier one and we expect to see him ridden prominently.
Morphettville
King of Camelot steps up in trip for this 1950m Benchmark 68 (Race 5 – 1:50 pm) contest. The Kristi Evans-trained gelding hasn’t shown anything near his true potential since arriving in Australia in 2019. That being said, he has trained on since his first-up showing at Morphettville on May 1. Scarlet So will ride from barrier seven, and we expect to see an improved performance from the dual French Gr. 3 placegetter.
Sunday
Ballarat
English import Sea Crossing will make his Australian debut for OTI and our connections in a 1600m Benchmark 64. The Archie Alexander-trained entire shows plenty of ability and can hit the ground running here at only his fourth career start. The talented three-year-old will be ridden by Declan Bates and will jump from barrier 10.
Vannes (France)
After finishing third at Paray-le-Monial, where he made an excellent run to the line, Kloster has impressed his trainer Edouard Monfort. The four-year-old has been entered for the 1500m Class 4 at Vannes on Sunday, which will be used as a final preparatory run before contesting more competitive handicaps.
We wish all of the connections the very best of luck for a busy weekend ahead!