Connections of OTI horses enjoyed a fruitful weekend with three promising winners. All three won in such a manner to suggest that there is plenty more in store for them.
CHURMATT DOMINATES
Having his first start for a new set of connections, Churmatt continued his smart progression when winning at Ellerslie for Stephen Marsh and Opie Bosson in quite dominating fashion.
Starting a short-priced favourite in the colours of our NZ-based partners Raptor Thoroughbreds, Opie Bosson stalked the speed from his low gate before edging out into clear air on straightening. While the stablemate took a bit of getting past, from there Churmatt always looked to have the race in hand, extending to the line well to win by 1.25lengths.
Churmatt will have a short break now before preparing for some key races in November and December. A slot in The Kiwi is the longer-term aim.
FORTUNE BREAKS THROUGH IN AUSTRALIA
Breaking a run of outs of over 1000 days, Fortune greeted the judge for the first time in Australia for his patient owners. Considered desperately unlucky not to have done so sooner, with six top 4 finishes here, it was a great reward for Annabel & Rob Archibald and Zac Lloyd.
Utilising his barrier 5 starting position, Fortune settled in a prominent position behind the leaders, who were setting a genuine tempo. Peeling three wide at the point of the turn to make his run, he would prove too strong over the concluding stages.
At the 200m, it appeared likely that OTI would produce the quinella, with Bjorn Baker’s Perfumist going head to head with Fortune. However, in a blanket finish, Perfumist would be relegated to 4th position in what was a much improved run from her.
Fortune is likely to chase Big Dance qualification in the coming weeks.
HIGHLAND BLING PROVES TOO STRONG AT FLEMINGTON
In a race containing three in the OTI colours, it was Highland Bling that finished strongest over the 2520m at Flemington on Sunday.
Having just his second start this preparation, the horse showed a bright turn of foot and appears to be better acclimatised now for Phillip Stokes and Daniel Stackhouse. He looks like a horse that could develop into an Adelaide and/or Sydney Cup horse in the autumn.
Filling the First Four on Saturday were two other OTI horses in Karburan and Guido. Indeed, all three could meet again at The Valley on October 3. Guido could be seen over the Flemington Cup week in the Australian Heritage Cup (2800m) and then potentially in The Jericho Cup at Warrnambool.