It’s another big weekend for OTI partners, highlighted by Aloisia who heads to the Group 1 JJ Atkins Stakes at Doomben (Race 6, 2.20pm).
Trained by Ciaron Maher, Aloisia is a 2YO filly acquired on the back of two strong 1200M performances in New Zealand. A daughter of the ill-fated Irish sire, Azamour, Aloisia is seen as a likely staying prospect in the spring.
Aloisia had her first start for OTI partners over 1400M at Flemington on May 20. She defied pre-race thoughts that she might find the trip too short and was strong to the line in victory. The win immediately prompted Ciaron Maher to set Aloisia for the JJ Atkins, citing the extra 200M as being ideal. The filly has drawn well in gate six on Saturday with Mark Zahra booked to ride.
The Maher stable also put the polish on Pemberley, who will tackle the Group 2 Brisbane Cup. Traditionally run over 2400M in recent times, the race has been shortened to 2200M with the shift from Doomben to Eagle Farm.
Pemberley hasn’t enjoyed the best of luck this campaign with a combination of wide draws and conceding to big a start proving costly. The stable report the horse is doing well ahead of his next assignment. It’s hoped that jockey, Corey Brown, can get the gelding into a prominent spot early in the race. Pemberley should be most competitive in Saturday’s Brisbane Cup.
At Flemington, Master Zephyr will look to atone for a below average performance last start (Flemington Race 5, 2.02pm). Between runs, he has had a strong jump-out at Burrumbeet and the Weir stable are pleased with him ahead Saturday. Jordan Childs will take the ride from gate seven. It’s hoped Master Zephyr can return to the form that saw him run so well at Flemington throughout January.
Rounding out the quartet of OTI runners heading to the races on Saturday is the exciting French galloper, Loresho (Race 7, 3.22pm). This lovely black entire has been curtailed somewhat by injury but the Weir stable have done a tremendous job preparing him for this return to racing.
Loresho is one of OTI’s highest rated horses with his penultimate run in France back in August 2015 resulting in a 2500M Group 3 victory. He only had one more start in France when third at Group 2 level before transporting to Australia.
Also trained by Darren Weir, Loresho hasn’t raced for 813 days and will certainly improve for the 1400M outing on Saturday with bigger goals in mind heading toward spring. It’s tremendous to have this talented entire back at the track and we’re excited to see what he can produce in coming months.
OTI would like to wish all partners the very best with their respective runners over the weekend. There should be a big continent on course at both Doomben and Flemington so hopefully the recent run of good success can continue.