OTI owners have plenty to look forward to this weekend, particularly in the Sunshine state where both Regal Lion and Cepheus are set to contest Listed events.
Saturday, July 1
Newmarket (UK)
Current Track Rating: Good to Soft
Ragosina
Ragosina is likely to get our weekend started in the UK. The filly has been runner up on both occasions this season, but is sure to have come on again for her latest outing. She’s still ironing out her ringcraft and may well appreciate a bit further than 10f, but James has been happy with her work leading in and she’s expected to be most competitive again.
Race 2 – 2:50am | 2000m 3yoF+ Handicap | T: John Ferguson | J: Daniel Muscutt 59.5kgs | Barrier 9 | Saddlecloth 7
Sunshine Coast
Current Track Rating: Good
Mirann
Mirann is one of three OTI runners contesting this 1800m event. His form has been a little lacklustre of late but we’re hoping to see that change on Saturday. Out to this journey at a spacious track, he should get his chance to find the line well. There is no knock on how he’s been working at home.
Race 2 – 12:53pm | 1800m BM78 | T: Matthew Dunn | J: Martin Harley 57kgs | Barrier 11 | Saddlecloth 5
Scarlet Tufty
Scarlet Tufty is an honest galloper but the 1800m journey is short of his best. With a healthy space between runs, this outing should set him up well for 2200m-2400m targets in July and August. He’ll roll forward and hold a good gallop to the line, but it will be a bonus if he’s fighting out the finish.
Race 2 – 12:53pm | 1800m BM78 | T: Jack Bruce | J: Justin Huxtable 57kgs | Barrier 10 | Saddlecloth 6
Stuck With You
Stuck With You looks the leading chance of our three contestants here, having continued to train on well through this preparation. His last four runs make for very good reading in a race like this, albeit the drop back to 1800m isn’t perfect. There is an ideal race for him over 2000m in three weeks’ time where he’s better suited, but he’s capable of being in the finish here off the back of his freshen up.
Race 2 – 12:53pm | 1800m BM78 | T: Matthew Dunn | J: Ryan Maloney 61kgs | Barrier 4 | Saddlecloth 1
Montabot
Montabot has had a slightly interrupted preparation, hence why he’s racing over 1400m again. His return run was better than the finishing position suggests, and he does head into this race quite fresh again. He’ll get back and run on, so hopefully we see sufficient speed to bring him into the race. Whatever he does here he should improve on getting out to 1600m-1800m.
Race 5 – 2:47pm | 1400m BM78 | T: Matthew Dunn | J: Tyler Schiller 57.5kgs | Barrier 5 | Saddlecloth 8
Regal Lion
Regal Lion is looking to make it back-to-back feature Cup wins following his terrific victory at Ipswich last start. This talented gelding is starting to put it all together and the addition of blinkers looked a great help. He’s trained on nicely in QLD and can’t be faulted leading into his 2400m test. He’s sure to start a much shorter quote on Saturday!
Race 6 – 3:23pm | 2400m Listed Caloundra Cup | T: Annabel Neasham | J: Ben Thompson 57kgs | Barrier 2 | Saddlecloth 4
Cepheus
Cepheus was very good in the Eye Liner dropping back from 2000m, which is no easy feat. He’s shown his class over the shorter journeys, and the step to 1400m on a big track looks ideal. He’s been a model of consistency on good ground this time in and has given Matt Dunn no reason to think he can’t run well again.
Race 8 – 4:45pm | 1400m Listed Glasshouse Handicap | T: Matthew Dunn | J: Kyle-Wilson Taylor 59kgs | Barrier 9 | Saddlecloth 1
Kembla Grange
Current Track Rating: Good
Apollo
Apollo could make his Australian debut from a favourable draw. This French import has always been well thought of, winning well as a 2yo. His rating of 62 looks very workable, so we hope to see him make his presence felt early on in the provincials. He’ll improve on whatever he does here but his class will take him a long way.
Race 4 – 1:40pm | 1400m Class 1 | T: Annabel Neasham | J: Heavelon Van Der Hoven 60kgs | Barrier 2
| Saddlecloth 1
Echuca
Current Track Rating: Heavy
Guido
Guido is gradually building to his right journey but this is once again short of his best. Following this outing, it’s expected he’ll get to a staying trip with the blinkers back on, where we’d like to see a very competitive effort. If he shows enthusiasm and is holding a good gallop through the line, that will mean we’re on track.
Race 4 – 2:31pm | 1600m 0-58 Handicap | T: Mitch Freedman | J: Ms Tahlia Hope 60kgs | Barrier 12
| Saddlecloth 1
Flemington
Current Track Rating: Soft
Belthil
Belthil is our sole representative on Finals Day. It looks a hot enough race as you’d expect, and this gelding is far from the finished article at this stage of his career. He’s drawn out, but that should allow Harry Coffey to keep him in a flowing rhythm outside horses. It wouldn’t shock us if he’s in the finish as he’s a talented individual.
Race 9 – 4:40pm | 1600m Silver Bowl Series Final | T: Andrew Bobbin | J: Harry Coffey 54.5kgs | Barrier 11
| Saddlecloth 6
Best of luck to all connections over the weekend!