There is excitement in the air at Larneuk Stud and at the Cranbourne stables of Greg Eurell with the exciting three-year-old O'Tauto nominated for the inaugural running of the rich All Star Mile to be run at Flemington on March 16.
The world's
richest 1600m race has attracted a hot field of nominations with the final
field to be based on the public's vote... and O'Tauto's connections are hoping
that those with a keen eye for an up-and-comer will have him foremost in their
minds!
In great shape following a brief freshen-up on the back of his dominant Flemington victory on January 12, O'Tauto is embarking on an ambitious autumn carnival campaign but connections are confident that their young and still lightly raced gelding can measure right up.
The Gr.3 C.S Hayes Stakes is next on the agenda for O'Tauto who is then looking to join his great great grandsire Zabeel on the Australian Guineas honour roll; a Classic race run two weeks before the All Star Mile.
Big plans for a horse who has had just four starts but testament to the high regard in which O'Tauto is held by his trainer and by his proud owner/breeder, Larneuk Stud's Neville Murdoch.
"He has shown above average ability from day one," Murdoch said, always impressed by O'Tauto on type and temperament - "he was an outstanding foal who has just kept improving ever since."
Greg Eurell agreed - "O'Tauto has impressed me since the day he walked into the stables."
"He is a big, imposing, very handsome horse with huge length of stride and it was clear from the word go that he was going to be above average."
"He is also quite a character, he has such a laid back nature and he loves attention. Most importantly he thrives on race day pressure and enjoys soaking up the atmosphere at race meetings without turning an eye... all the attributes of a horse on the way up."
In the first two at each of his four starts to date, O'Tauto was particularly impressive driving to to line over 1400m at Flemington second up and the 1600m looks ideal for him - especially when you note that until Winx came long his sire O'Lonhro held the record for the Gr.2 Chelmsford Stakes run over that very trip.
O'Tauto is a great local hope for a great new Victorian race... bred, trained and owned here! He isn't a blueblood, he isn't owned by Sheikhs, he isn't already at the top of his game; he is young, keen and rearing to go!
Vote for O'Tauto at: https://allstarmile.com.au/profiles.html?fbclid=IwAR3sMY_vCRsrTY_sk9MnNZBKGEZsTktmklKs5YSLpxEmYcCPfq-tNaYUj_g#/horses/o'tauto
