There were mixed emotions yesterday as the racing wrapped up at Rosehill with some of OTI’s runners not enjoying the best of fortunes. It was hard not to have a smile on the face though after Green Fly sprouted wings late to take out the last.
A model of consistency over the past 12 months, the 6yo son of Frankel appears to be loving life in Sydney and it’s easy to make a case off his trials and race return that he’s come back in career best shape. As a horse that prefers give in the ground and has an unfavourable pattern, things may rarely fall into the place but yesterday, he was simply electric.
Green Fly wins impressively at Rosehill.
At the provincials, Tenniel got her career well and truly back on track with a strong win at Newcastle. Despite a creditable 2 nd -placing early in the campaign, there were concerns with how the mare was progressing. Fortunately, due to a top training performance from Annabel and Rob, mixing up the routine and presenting her at the races 7 weeks between runs, she delivered a career-best performance.
Tenniel wins at Newcastle for connections.
Looking ahead to Saturday, we’ll have two representatives at stakes level. Athabascan will kick things off for us in the 2600m Group 2 Chairman’s Quality at a track and trip he was successful at in the spring. He’s building nicely through the campaign, evidenced by his 2nd -placed finish in the Group 3 Manion Quality. Although Grand Final Day will come on Saturday week in the Group 1 Sydney Cup, with three runs under his belt, the gelding is ready to be fighting out the finish.
To view the full field and details, click here.
Although his run in the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes on Tuesday wasn’t quite what we were after, Golden Century delivered a performance that was like his lead up effort before a brilliant 3rd in the Group 1 New Zealand Derby. Clearly, he’s a big, dumb horse that is still doing a lot wrong in running but if things can click on Saturday, there’s no doubt he has the talent to be thereabouts. He was certainly very fresh yesterday and although he’s had a long campaign, it’s a run that will have brought him on. Nash has the faith, so we hope to see him deliver a top ride from a slightly tricky draw.
To view the full field and details, click here.
Golden Century finished 3rd in the Group 1 NZ Derby.
Whilst we hope there are more winners between now and Saturday, we’re excited to cheer on our stakes contenders this weekend.