Voting closes today for the inaugural running of the rich All Star Mile to be run at Flemington on March 16 and those waiting until the last minute to make their decision would be wise to consider the exciting three-year-old O'Tauto.
A horse who
has been crying out for the mile on the back of two outstanding runs over 1400m,
the Greg Eurell trained gelding was so impressive saluting at BM70 level at
Flemington in mid-January and on Saturday, having been kept fresh with five
weeks between runs, created a great impression tackling Group company for the
first time.
Always travelling well despite covering ground, O'Tauto was one of the strongest to the line running a gallant C.S Hayes Stakes third - in fact his finishing split of 11.30 seconds was the fastest in the race and the fourth best recorded all day!
Having his first ride aboard the exciting youngster, Dwayne Dunn was impressed - "he is still learning his craft and just doesn't have the race smarts of some of the more experienced horses... but he raced truly throughout and it was a great effort."
"The mile next time out is going to suit him really well and he is definitely up to it."
"It" being the Group One Australian Guineas, a race on O'Tauto's agenda since his impressive debut victory at Cranbourne last winter.
Given time to mature and flourish since the, O'Tauto still has plenty of upside as he prepares for the two big Flemington miles and it is well worth noting that his sire O'Lonhro (son of Lonhro who won three Group One miles) was a specialist at the trip - for eight years holding the Gr.2 Chelmsford Stakes record which took the mighty Winx to break!
Dwayne Dunn was also taken by O'Tauto's attitude, the good looking bay with just five runs under his belt so laid back, so professional.
"He has such a great attitude, he doesn't turn a hair."
Greg Eurell agreed - "he is the sort of horse you can do anything with, he is a pleasure to have around the stables. He was terrific today and with the gap between runs he is going to improve again."
Something that has O'Tauto's proud owner/breeder, Larneuk Stud's Neville Murdoch, very excited.
"Heading towards the Guineas and The All Star I would not swap him for any other horse!" he enthused.
Vote for O'Tauto at: https://allstarmile.com.au/profiles.html?fbclid=IwAR3sMY_vCRsrTY_sk9MnNZBKGEZsTktmklKs5YSLpxEmYcCPfq-tNaYUj_g#/horses/o'tauto
