The weekend is highlighted by Ottoman Emperor’s appearance in the Group 1 St Leger at Doncaster, and Timour’s first run for OTI owners in the Group 2 Prix Niel at Longchamp on Sunday.
SATURDAY 11th of September
Flemington
Current Track Rating: Good
Harbour Views
Matt Williams has Harbour Views returning stronger than in previous preparations. He may need this run but from the good barrier, he is expected to be in the placings in this strong field.
Race 5 – 2:55 pm | 1400m Listed The Sofitel | T: Matthew Williams | J: Damian Lane 55.5kg | Barrier 3 | Saddlecloth 3
Kembla Grange
Current Track Rating: Good
Dick Whittington
This race shapes as an ideal steppingstone for Dick Whittington as he works his way up to 2400m targets. However, from the good barrier, he is expected to be more competitive than his first two starts in Australia.
Race 3 – 12:50 pm | 2000m BM78 | T: Matthew Smith | J: Ms Rachel King 59kg | Barrier 2 | Saddlecloth 2
Sound of Cannons
This developing stayer is well placed here. Despite the barrier, he is expected to be very strong at the end of the 2000m and is considered a good place chance.
Race 3 – 12:50 pm | 2000m BM78 | T: John O’Shea | J: Regan Bayliss 55.5kg | Barrier 11 | Saddlecloth 12
Stuck With You
This rising stayer is another who is well placed here. Following a promising second-up run at the Randwick Kensington track where he hit the line nicely, he should be once again doing his best work late.
Race 3 – 12:50 pm | 2000m BM78 | T: Matthew Dunn | J: Regan Bayliss 55.5kg | Barrier 11 | Saddlecloth 12
Morphettville
Current Track Rating: Good
Darvin
Darwin looks very well-placed in this field and has come on well from his first up run. He should be hard to run down if he gets his own way in front.
Race 1 – 12:42 pm | 2500m BM78 | T: Matthew Williams | J: Paul Gatt 59.5kg | Barrier 4 | Saddlecloth 1
Gold Coast
Current Track Rating: Good
Southern Rock
Southern Rock will be ridden more aggressively than his last start. He has come out of that race well and Matt Dunn believes that he should be competitive.
Race 8 – 4:24 pm | 1800m BM70 | T: Matthew Dunn | J: Baylee Nothdurft 59.5kg, Barrier 4, Saddlecloth 3
SUNDAY 12th September
Doncaster (GB)
Current Track Rating: Good
Ottoman Emperor
Ottoman Emperor has done everything required of him to get to this English Classic. Although a challenging race, hopes are high that he could be in the placings.
Race 5 – 12:35 am AEST | 2921m Group 1 St Leger Stakes | T: J P Murtagh | J: Ben Coen | Barrier 8 | Saddlecloth 6
Longchamp (FR)
Current Track Rating: Good
Timour
Race 3 – 10:33 pm AEST | 2400m Group 2 Prix Niel | T: A Fabre J: Mickael Barzalona, 58kg | Barrier 1 | Saddlecloth 5
Timour is having his first start for OTI owners and steps up to Group 2 level. André Fabre believes that this horse is a most capable galloper. Placing here will be a good result in this high quality field.
Kloster
Kloster has been a model of consistency this preparation and again he is expected to be in the placings.
Race 9 – 2:15 am (Monday AEST) | 1400m Class 2 | T: E. D. Monfort | J: Mickael Barzalona 56.5kg | Barrier 6 | Saddlecloth 11
Curragh (IRE)
Current Track Rating: Good
Mirann
Johnny Murtagh has always felt Mirann was capable of winning a feature handicap, and he’ll get another chance to in this race. He will need luck in the big field but should be running on strongly at the finish.
Race 8 – 2:45 am (Monday AEST) | 2000m Northfields Handicap | T: J P Murtagh | J: Ben Martin Coen 9-13 | Barrier 19 | Saddlecloth 2
We wish all of our connections the best of luck this weekend!