Last weekend was a successful one with debutant Pick ‘N’ Mix winning impressively, and both Perfumist (pictured below) and Deakin taking out their respective metropolitan assignments.
All of our runners this weekend will feature on Saturday in what looks a busy day of summer racing for OTI connections.
Starting with the feature city meetings, we’ll be well represented at both The Valley and Randwick. Karburan, likely to back up off an even effort at Pakenham, will be tried over 3000m for the first time. Perhaps with a quieter ride we can see a change of fortune, but he has a bit to find to get back to his winning form from Cranbourne Cup Day.
A competitive effort when 5th last start saw Belthil turn his form around, and now back in a race as part of the ‘Aspirant’ series, he gets his chance to be in the finish. 1500m looks a nice trip for him and Tom Prebble’s claim (who has won on him before) gets him in well. He’s a top three hope.
At Randwick we’ll see three imported runners take their place. Baby Rider (pictured below) hasn’t quite fired since his Listed success last summer. Now at peak fitness and at his preferred trip of 2000m (BM88), it’s time for him to step up and be more competitive, which his work has suggested he can do. A wide draw makes life a little tougher but we’re hopeful of a top four finish.
Alashar and Fortune will both contest the 1600m BM78, with the former having his first Australian start. He’s shown plenty of ability both in France and in his trackwork and trials, but it’s felt he’ll improve for the outing and a step out in trip. Look for him to be closing off well late.
Fortune on the other hand has the benefit of a run under his belt, and a run that was encouraging when finishing 2nd at Canterbury. That performance was a bit of a relief for connections as he’s a horse who has always shown plenty, and should now appreciate a mile second up on a big track. He will need to improve again in a typically competitive Saturday Sydney event but is considered a nice each-way chance.
Elsewhere, Golden Century will have his first start in the OTI colours at Rotorua (NZ). After two very encouraging 3rd-placings, he’s been purchased with a Derby in mind, so it’s important he lays a good foundation for that in this 1560m Maiden. With a step out in trip and having done well between runs, he’s expected to be hard to beat.
Despite a couple of strong 2nd’s last campaign (including in Listed grade), it’s now been 18 months since Regal Lion won. The search for a victory continues and the 2100m Magic Millions Shoot Out looks suitable for him to be competitive. A rough run of weather means he’s here 6 weeks between runs, so he’s entitled to improve for the outing. We’d certainly like to see a bit more enthusiasm from him late on.
Rounding out our weekend runners is Tierra, who is engaged at both Cranbourne (Sat night) and Stony Creek (Mond). Wherever she steps out, provided she’s ridden positively, we expect to see a much better showing from this filly. She’s a trial winner who was given more of an educational outing than anything on debut, so it won’t shock to see her take a big step forward.
We wish all those connected with our runners this weekend the very best of luck!
