Saturday
Sandown
Yosemite is well and pleasing her trainers Robbie Griffiths and Mathew de Kock, starting at Sandown in the 1300m 3yoF BM78 (Race 3 – 12:50 pm). Though the track is currently rated a heavy 8, she has handled soft going in the past, and we expect a good performance from her tomorrow, complemented by a nice draw of barrier 3 under Ben Melham.
Blue Ocean returns from a short freshen-up at Phillip Stokes’ farm following a great effort, despite a luckless run at Flemington last month. The four-year-old will resume his preparation in the 1600m BM78 (Race 6 – 2:45 pm), and his trainer Phillip Stokes has reported him to be “bright and happy, I can’t fault him”. Ben Allen is set to ride from barrier 3.
Morphettville
After missing a start at Flemington last Saturday, Dusk Falls is headed to the 1950m BM72 (Race 8 – 4:15 pm AEST) at Morphettville this weekend. Though he was unplaced in his first-up run at Flemington, he was only beaten 3 lengths and we can expect natural improvement coming off a long time out. Jessica Eaton is booked to ride and will be instructed to be on the pace from barrier 11.
Fellow OTI galloper, King of Camelot, will line up in the same race (1950m BM72 – Race 8 – 4:15 pm AEST) from barrier 10 for Kristi Evans, who reports that he is in excellent order. Though he will need the run to build his race fitness, we would like to see him settle and finish off well with Scarlet So on board.
Sunday
Swan Hill
Matthew Williams trained; Almsgiver continues his campaign at Swan Hill in the 1600m 2&3yo Maiden (Race 3 – 12:50 pm) with Dean Yendall booked to ride from barrier 8. The talented three-year-old Impressed his trainer in his course proper gallop on Tuesday morning, handling the ground and working strong through the line. While we looked to step him up further, it looks to be a nice race for him and we expect with more race experience on his side now, he can certainly figure in the finish.
Simon Wilde has elected to start five-year-old mare Vee Cece in the 2400m BM78 on Sunday (Race 7 – 3:15 pm). Following her run at Cranbourne last month, the focus has been set on keeping the mare fresh to put some zing back in her legs, without compromising her race fitness. She will start down in the weights, and we expect her to produce an improved run with Damien Thornton in the saddle.
Monday
Warwick Farm
OTI will have dual representation in the 2400m BM72 (Race 2 – 1:25 pm) at Warwick Farm on Monday, with Akatino and Sound of Cannons both accepted to race.
Akatino is in fantastic shape heading into his assignment, and his trainer Matthew Smith couldn’t be happier with him. While the German-bred four-year-old is still learning the ropes of Australian racing, he did nothing to disappoint in his last start at Randwick a fortnight ago. We expect he will run a good race on his home track with Kerrin McEvoy to ride from barrier 2.
Top jockey James McDonald has been booked to ride Sound of Cannons in the same race. He has been relaxed in his work since a frustrating run where he, unfortunately, went back and ran into trouble in the straight. His trainer John O’Shea has expressed confidence in the horse and believes that run was not indicative of his ability. We expect to see him back to form tomorrow and deliver a strong performance.
Gowran Park (IRE)
The three-year-old colt, Ottoman Emperor, returns to the races at Gowran Park on Monday evening in the 1900m 3yo+ Hcp (Race 5 – 1:00 am AEST). He was a very impressive winner last start, and although his trainer Johnny Murtagh has been dodging wet tracks, he goes into this race with a nice, competitive weight and conditions to suit. We are eager to see another strong performance from this talented horse.
We wish connections the best of luck!
