OTI Racing | Weekend Preview | March 3, 2023

A very busy weekend ahead of us with multiple runners all over Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The highlight clearly is the Group 1 New Zealand Derby for Full Of Sincerity and Mark Twain. We also have Athabascan, Hezashocka and Under Your Spell competing at black-type level as well.

A very exciting weekend ahead for our owners!

Friday, March 3

Ararat

Current Track Rating: Good

Ashim

Ashim heads to Colac where he gets his chance to bounce back to form. Hopefully, today’s Colac track will be a little more forgiving, after he struggled to let down on the firm surface last time out. Importantly, he has worked strongly in the lead up to this race, with his final gallop on Tuesday morning pleasing the Dabernig team. Apprentice Ryan Houston returns to the saddle, looking to make it back-to-back wins on the gelding.

*Ashim (FR) ridden by Ryan Houston wins the The Home of Amazing Jumpers Handicap at Warrnambool Racecourse on January 25, 2023 in Warrnambool, Australia. (Photo by Alice Miles/Racing Photos)*

Saturday, March 4

Flemington

Current Track Rating: Good

Timour

Timour gets things underway at headquarters on Saturday over the 2500m journey. In just his first Australian race preparation, it has been a methodic build up from Chris Waller so far, giving the gelding every chance to adapt to the Australian style of racing. Off what we saw last start, he certainly appears to be heading in the right direction and the step up in trip will be most ideal. With plenty in his favour on Saturday, hopefully we see a performance that warrants a Sydney Cup tilt.

*Timour winning in St Cloud in August, 2021*

Lady Laguna

Lady Laguna will kick off her campaign down the Flemington straight, where she is the highest rated filly in the field of 12. Annabel believes she has come back a stronger filly this time in, so it will be most exciting to see what she can do this campaign. As is customary with this filly, she has trialled sharply in the lead up to her return, so all indicators point to a positive display on Saturday.

*Lady Laguna winning at Rosehill in November 2021*

Hezashocka

To read more about Hezashocka’s chances in Saturday’s Blamey, along with news of the arrival of his half-sister, click here.

*Hezashocka (NZ) ridden by Patrick Moloney wins the 2022 Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour Handicap at Flemington Racecourse on May 14, 2022 in Flemington, Australia. (Brett Holburt/Racing Photos)*

Randwick

Current Track Rating: Good

Athabascan

Athabascan finally draws a suitable gate here and looks very capable of running a good race second up. The blinkers go on and his work has been encouraging between runs after a forgive effort in an unsuitable race on return. He is an entire we have a lot of time for, so this run shapes as an important one for his autumn. A competitive showing would see him likely head towards Group targets.

*Athabascan winning at Saint-Cloud in May 2022*

Te Rapa (NZ)

Current Track Rating: Soft

Full Of Sincerity

Full Of Sincerity ran a much-improved race last time out at Group 2 level when boxing on for 4^th. There is a query over whether he’s physically mature enough to be winning a Derby, but he’s continued to go from strength to strength at home. If he can get an economical run from the mid-draw with blinkers applied, hopefully he can surprise at odds.

Full Of Sincerity winning at Avondale (NZ) in November 2022

Mark Twain

Mark Twain is a rapidly improving stayer who heads into the Derby with different form lines to most. He was quite dominant beating older horses over 2100m last start and looks a natural for this staying journey. He is another horse who will undoubtedly improve heading into his four-year-old season, but is presented with a live chance to finish in the first few at Group 1 level.

*Mark Twain wins at Hastings, NZ on February 10, 2023*

Eagle Farm

Current Track Rating: Good

Barade

Barade is now a very seasoned galloper who probably went through the motions a shade on return. Over this journey again, we’re not expecting too much from him but with winkers applied and a positive ride, he can be running a better race. We know once he’s at the right journey 3^rd and 4^th up with the blinkers on that he will make his presence felt.

*Barade (FR) ridden by Declan Bates wins the Very Special Kids Pin and Win Trophy at Flemington Racecourse on November 07, 2020 in Flemington, Australia. (Brett Holburt/Racing Photos)*

Wangaratta

Current Track Rating: Good

Knightlaila

Now under the care of Phillip Stokes, it will be great to see Knightlaila make his Australian debut at Wangaratta. He is a horse who showed a good level of ability during his time in Ireland, so we are looking forward to seeing what he can deliver on Australian soil. The four-year-old has taken some time to pick things up in his new surroundings, but Phil has been very pleased with how he has come along in recent weeks. Let’s hope he has a positive first Australian race experience!

*Knightlaila winning in Gowran Park in May 2022*

Turffontein (SAF)

Current Track Rating: Good

Under Your Spell

Under Your Spell jumps back into Group company. She’s enjoyed a nice space between runs following her last start win. She does meet a quality field here but gets some weight relief on past efforts, and this should set her up for what looks a suitable Group-class program moving forward. We had thought by now she’d be in Europe, so hopefully our owners can be rewarded this campaign for their patience.

*Under Your Spell wins at Turffontein (SAF) in January 2023*

Sunday, March 5

The Valley

Current Track Rating: Good

Sous Les Nuages

Sous Les Nuages rounds out the weekend at The Valley on Sunday, in what is a valuable BM78 contest. He hasn’t had the smoothest lead up to this race, but Matt is confident that he now has the horse in a good space. Having been most consistent this preparation, another win would be well-deserved.

*Sous Les Nuages wins at Morphettville in October 2022 with Barend Vorster on board*

Best of luck to all involved!