Saturday May 27, 2017 will go down as a landmark day for OTI, recording the impressive return of 3 winners in 3 different countries in a 12 hour period. Followers of OTI may remember the Moonee Valley night meeting in September 2008 when we won three races on the one race card, but this is something different again. Renew dominated the Australian Hurdle at Sandown, Tom Melbourne’s half-sister, Araaja, was convincing at Bordeaux (France) and Fastnet Tempest had to be seen to be believed at Chester (UK).
Renew’s 7-length victory on Saturday is a great example of hurdlers loving what they do. Jumping has renewed his enthusiasm for racing, and he remains undefeated in that format. He will now be aimed towards the Grand National hurdle race in September.
As the half-sister to Tom Melbourne, OTI jumped at the chance to buy Araaja as a yearling, hoping for her to become a valuable breeding prospect. As it turns out, she has shown great talent on the track too. Out of just 5 starts, she has recorded two wins and a second.
On Saturday, Araaja dominated the field at Bordeaux to lead start to finish, winning by 3.5 lengths. She is trained by Antoine de Watrigant, who guided Gailo Chop to Group 1 victory in the 2015 Mackinnon. Antoine is very excited about her future and will be aiming her firmly at the Group 1 Prix de Diane at Chantilly on the 18th of June. This race is also known as the ‘French Oaks’.
Fastnet Tempest needed a win at Chester to secure a Royal Ascot berth in the Hunt Cup. On the turn, the horse was last. With such a short straight, he looked to have little winning chance. He showed his true class and great turn of foot, sprinting home for the win.
We were so close to making it four winners in four countries. Our most recent purchase from NZ, So Far Sokool, ran a brave second in a Listed race at Ellerslie on the same day. This filly will now be transferred to Archie Alexander’s stables in Ballarat and is definitely one to watch.
May has been one of our biggest months in history. We’ve had 53 starters for 10 wins, 5 seconds and 7 thirds. We also brought up our 200th individual winner, Aloisia, who now heads to Brisbane on Saturday week for the Group 1 JJ Atkins at Doomben.
It certainly was a Super Saturday, and may there be many more exciting days ahead.
