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...
G1 Plans for Invincible Sprinter
A five year-old son of I Am Invincible, Caballus is a very much a sprinter on the rise and turned in a blistering performance at Doomben on Saturday to go within a whisker of the course record when blasting his rivals to win the Group III BRC George Moore Stakes (1200m).
First Win for $1million I Am Invincible Filly
A $1million Magic Millions purchase from Widden Stud, I Am Invincible filly La Basilique cast off maiden status with a tenacious win at Randwick on Friday afternoon in the Yulong colours.
Consecutive Ballarat Cup Wins For Berkeley Square
While it has been 12 months between drinks so to speak for Dan O’Sullivan’s Berkeley Square with his last race victory coming in this very same race last year, Saturday’s victory in the $500,000 Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) took the earnings of the 6yo Territories (IRE) gelding past the $2m mark.
New SW Lucky Vega - That's Gold Wins G3 Bonecrusher
Bred and sold by Yulong, talented colt That's Gold became a new stakes-winner for Lucky Vega (IRE) when taking out the Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe on Saturday. 
Career High for Best Of Days
Godolphin will be sad to see 2018 come to end.
New SW for Wrote - Midnight Edition wins G3 Concorde Stakes
Midnight Edition, who has genuine claims to the title of most improved galloper in the North Island this season, stepped up to a new level at Pukekohe when he claimed the Gr.3 Concorde Stakes (1200m) in emphatic fashion.
Sires With Winners - Saturday December 6
Here is the full list of 108 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Itchintogo Gives Gollan Consecutive Phelan Ready Wins
Jumping away the narrow second favourite off the back of his second place on debut, Tony Gollan’s Itchintogo (Sun City) will now head to the $3m Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast after winning the $200,000 Listed BRC Phelan Ready Stakes (1100m), becoming the first stakes winner for his sire.
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.
Shamexpress Sprinter wins G3 Spring Sprint
Lightly raced six-year-old The Scunner showed his last start runner-up finish at Group Three level was no fluke as he backed that effort up with another professional display to capture the Gr.3 Taylor Property Plus Spring Sprint (1400m) at Trentham.