Our weekend begins with Mighty Quinn at Warrnmabool this afternoon in the BM64 over 2000m. Trainer Matt Cumani is impressed with the horse’s work leading into the race and believes he has the necessary race fitness to run well. Third-up from a spell, we hope he can be kicking off the weekend on a winning note.
Saturday we look first to Queensland, where Le Juge takes on a field of eight runners in a Class 6 Handicap over 1600m. With Robbie Fradd on board, he knows the horse well and should be able to find a nice position within the small field. Waller has said Le Juge’s work has been great leading into this start, so we hope to see him bounce back to his winning Queensland form.
Below: Le Juge winning at Doomben
Attention then turns to Bendigo and Rosehill. At Bendigo, the stand alone Victorian meeting of the day, we have a strong contingent of runners. It kicks off for us in race three, with three OTI horses going head to head in the BM84 over 2400m. Instigator, under the care of Aaron Purcell, comes off the back of a solid fifth placing at Flemington last start and a third placing first-up in the Colac Cup. Having stripped fitter from the runs, he will relish in this rise in distance.
Dark Pearl also takes his position in the race for Chris Waller after a phenomenal finish last start when second at Flemington, beaten only ¾ of a length to Wetakemanhattan. Concluding the race with the fastest sectionals, Dark Pearl clocked 11.90secs in his final furlong, coming in from 7th to 2nd place. Like Instigator, Dark Pearl will appreciate the added distance, so we hope to see him make use of his incredible turn of foot and go one better this start.
Below: Dark Pearl running a fast-finishing second last start at Flemington.
Serenade the Stars has drawn the widest barrier, so will be faced with a difficult task given the quality of the field. This will be Serenade the Stars’ third run this preparation for the Gelagotis stable, so we hope to see him jump, settle back and work his way home – whilst avoiding getting caught up in traffic. Trainer Peter Gelagotis is pleased with his progress thus far and is looking forward to him turning the tables and finding his previous 2400m plus winning form.
In the Listed Golden Mile, OTI will be represented by Mantastic. Mantastic has come into his own this preparation after taking out the Listed C S Hayes Memorial Cup last start at Morphettville for the Chris Waller stables. A last to first performance with a gutsy effort down the outside of the field, we hope to see Mantastic at the top of his game. A mile specialist with all career race wins at this distance, this race looks to be the perfect stepping stone as he progresses through stakes level.
Below: Mantastic winning the C S Hayes Memorial Cup last start at Morphettville.
The lucky last runner at Bendigo sees Inverloch, contesting his first race on Australian soil in the BM90 over 1400m. This is a race that is well below Inverloch’s preferred distance, however it will provide an opportunity for him to gain experience in the Australian style of racing. He has some quality form in France, so we will be seeing the best of Inverloch over 2000m plus. Busuttin and Young’s aim for tomorrow is to see the horse jump well, relax in running and work home strongly.
At Rosehill, we have both Grey Lion and Tom Melbourne in the Group 3 Doncaster Prelude over 1500m. A race that may be a little short in preferred distance, Grey Lion makes his race day return this preparation. Now based at Warwick Farm, Grey Lion has been working well under the watchful eye of Sydney based trainer Matthew Smith. After a recent trial win over 1200m on a soft 7 track, this weekend’s surface will be very much to Grey Lion’s liking.
Tom Melbourne has returned to Sydney from his beach ‘working holiday’ with Matt Williams down in Warrnambool. Having spent some time by the water and completing a sharp jump out under Michael Walker at Flemington, Tom Melbourne is primed for the occasion this weekend. A horse that races well fresh, he will step out on his home track of Rosehill in fine form.
We wish each of the weekend runners connections the best of luck and happy racing!