Flemington’s Melbourne Cup Day is upon us tomorrow and we have several runners representing OTI and its partners, including a number of horses stepping out in Europe later on in the week.
Kicking off the biggest day of Victorian racing are the two stablemates in race four, the BM96 Ronald McDonald Charities House Plate over 2800m. Both in training with Darren Weir, Kellstorm jumps from barrier thirteen and Azuro from barrier sixteen with jockeys Harry Coffey and Ben Allen respectively taking up the rides. Darren Weir has a strong legion contesting the race with four runners representing the stable, however none other in as finer form as Kellstorm and Azuro, both last start winners – Kellstorm in Adelaide at Morphettville and Azuro at Caulfield – at similar distances to tomorrow’s focus.
Tom Melbourne backs up from the weekend in the Listed Furphy Plate. With Hugh Bowman set to ride, they jump from barrier ten in a field of sixteen. Due to a wide draw in the Kennedy Mile on Saturday, he was left outside the leader with minimal cover working hard throughout. Chris Waller believes that Tom Melbourne has a tendency to race too hard fresh (as we saw on Saturday), so feels that the race was enough to take the edge of him and see him finish strongly on Tuesday over the 1800m journey.
Rounding out the day at Flemington is So Far Sokool jumping from barrier five in the 1400m G3 Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes. Looking to improve So Far Sokool’s already Listed winning resume with a win in the G3 for 4yo and upwards mares, trainer Archie Alexander is teaming up with jockey Mark Zahra to bring this small but mighty mare’s A-game to Flemington on Cup Day. In fine form at the moment she completed her final gallop on Sunday leading into Tuesday’s race. We look forward to seeing her run at Flemington as she enjoys the bigger tracks and will appreciate the expected tempo in the race.
To Europe, Alexandria steps out for her second career start for trainer Luca Cumani at Wolverhampton in a 1900m Handicap. To be aired on Sky Racing in the early hours of Wednesday morning, we are looking to see an improved run from her this time out after having learnt plenty in her first run at Lingfield.
Moving to Kyneton Cup day on Wednesday, race five sees Angelic Spirit representing OTI and its partners in the 1450m BM70 Handicap. A positive third place last start under Michael Walker, this run sees Linda Meech aboard and it is hoped the New Zealand bred again finishes in the top three.
In the feature race of the day, Romanesque and Tall Ship battle it out over 2000m for trainers Jarrod McLean and Darren Weir respectively. Romanesque has drawn the widest of barriers so will be looking to jump and settle to the rear of the field before finishing strongly. Romanesque completed his final gallop at Camperdown on the course proper leading into the race and is feeling well. Tall Ship, a horse that enjoys routine, continues to impress Weir in his work before enjoying a swim in the equine pool to finish his daily workout. Weir has stated that he is ticking along well in preparation for his next assignment and is polishing off his feed. We are looking to see the horse regain his previous form after a long term layoff and should be nearing full term fitness.
To the wee hours of the Thursday morning at Chantilly in France, we have a last start winner looking to back up his fine form again in that of Mr Satchmo. Mr Satchmo lines up for a Listed race to be run over 2000m, after recording two Listed wins from his last 3 starts this preparation.
Best of luck to our connections and the stable staff involved in each of the horses running over the next couple of days throughout Europe and Australia.
