Oaks Contender for OTI

Media Release - Friday September 8
Group One performer Aloisia will be set for a potentially lucrative spring campaign after impressing OTI Racing Director Terry Henderson in her trial at Sandown on Thursday.

"She went very well," Henderson said. "She was in what you would call a Group Two-level trial, there were some very smart sprinters in it.

"Over the 800m there were three in front of her, she sat on their tail and that is where she finished.

Aloisia"She didn't lose or make any ground and went to the line well and pulled up well. For a filly that we have earmarked for the Thousand Guineas and more so the Oaks, we couldn't be happier with her."

Henderson said the daughter of Azamour has strengthened a lot since her impressive two-year-old campaign, which included a runner-up performance in the Gr.1 J.J. Atkins (1600m).

"She's much stronger, she is probably 30 kilos heavier than when she was in the winter in Brisbane, she has really done well.

"She came over here and won at Flemington first up and then ran second in a Group One, you would be hard pressed to be any happier than that."

The Ciaron Maher-trained runner is being set for four starts this spring, culminating with a tilt at the VRC Kennedy Oaks in November.

"She will start on September 23 in a 1400m set weights and penalties race for fillies," Henderson said.

"She'll then have three weeks into the Thousand Guineas and then she will probably start in the AAMI Vase on Cox Plate day and then go from there to the Oaks."

Meanwhile, OTI Racing experienced success on Wednesday on both sides of the Tasman. Stone Warrior ran home strongly to win at Sandown, while Vin De Dance was dominant in his debut victory at Counties. They continued their run into Thursday when Angelic Spirirt was a brave winner at Seymour.

Henderson believes Stone Warrior has excelled with a change in environment and has developed into a more mature horse since his move.

"He has really matured physically and mentally," Henderson said.

"I think Pinecliff where he is now trained, he was at Flemington, suits this horse far more. He is now a very relaxed horse. He was always a bit dizzy."

His victory at Sandown has taken the Shamoline Warrior gelding's win tally to three and Henderson believes he could be in for a bright future.

"That's the first time he has run inside horses since we have had him. He looks ready to move through the classes now.

"I'd like to see him possibly even making Country Cups class this campaign, but he has a lot ahead of him, it was a good run on Wednesday."

Over the Tasman the heavy track conditions at Counties were a big concern for Henderson leading into Vin De Dance's race.

"I was a little nervous about him going out onto a heavy track, especially after the trial before last when he ran down the track," he said.

"The tactics by the stable and jockey to get him out of the gate and basically dominate the race were very wise.

"I couldn't help but be more impressed with the horse because on a surface that we don't think really suits him he showed some really good sticking power."

The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained runner is nominated for the Gr.1 NZ Two Thousand Guineas, but could find himself in Australia in the near future if he continues his form.

On Thursday, Echoes of Heaven three-year-old Angelic Spirit took her tally to two wins from three starts when victorious at Seymour over 1414m.

The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained filly charged for the lead early on and was brave to hold on, winning by a short margin. – NZ Racing Desk.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Three on the Trot for Zousain 3YO
The Paul Shailer stable has been flying over the winter carnival and one of the stable stars has been Zousain gelding Mister Bianco, who made it three wins in succession when taking out the $150,000 Schweppes TL Cooney (1350m) at Ipswich on Saturday.
Career High for Best Of Days
Godolphin will be sad to see 2018 come to end.
Godolphin’s Kin Wins Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic
After recording her first black type victory during last year’s spring carnival, the James Cummings trained Kin has produced three quality black type efforts during the Queensland carnival, resulting in a thoroughly deserving victory in Saturday's $160,000 Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic (1200m) at Ipswich.
Second Time Lucky As Flash Ahh Wins Ipswich Cup
Having finished third in the Listed Ipswich Cup (2150m) back in 2021, rising 10yo Lucas Cranach (GER) gelding Flash Aah was back for another attempt on Saturday, winning the staying feature as part of the Troy Pascoe yard.
Aussie Golden Eagle Form Delivers Royal Ascot G1 Finale
There were a couple of Aussie elements to the brilliant victory of Lazzat in the Group I Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (6f) at Royal Ascot overnight as he came to our shores last year and very nearly won the $10million Golden Eagle.
First SW for Azamour Mare
Matamata mare Polly Grey scored her biggest career victory when she stormed to a convincing victory in Saturday’s Listed Team Wealleans Matamata Cup (1600m).
Sires With Winners - Saturday June 21
Here is the full list of 101 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
One to Watch Wins Again!
It might be winter and all eyes may have been on Royal Ascot this week, but there was a winner at Flemington on Saturday that will have caught the eye of anyone with half an interest towards spring racing and emerging talent.
Second Stakes Success For More Than Ready’s Oughton
The well-travelled Oughton (More Than Ready) added Saturday’s $200,000 Listed Eye Liner Stakes (1350m) to his previous success in the Listed Tattersall's Recognition Stakes, off the back of a tendon injury which put an end to his stint in Hong Kong.
Grafton Cup Winner Underlines the Tragedy of One Season Shuttler Azamour
The Kiwi’s love nothing more than to winter in Queensland and they are finding it profitable to extend the stay and make the trip south across the border for the Grafton Cup Carnival.