Ones to Watch – UK

Tara Madgwick - Saturday May 13

OTI Racing colours were carried to victory overnight in the UK by a couple of lightly raced impressive three year-old winners and given the likelihood so many of their horses ultimately come and race in Australia we decided to take a closer look.

A half-brother to stakes-winner Harbour Views that has won over $500,000 in Australia for OTI, three year-old colt Docklands was a short priced favourite at Ascot for a mile handicap race and bolted in to win by six and a half lengths.

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He’s now had two wins and two seconds from four starts for trainer Harry Eustace.

He was purchased for just 16,000 pounds from the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale and is from the first crop of young Teofilo stallion Massaat.

He is the fifth winner from unraced Mark of Esteem mare  Icky Woo, whose best offspring is US Group III winner Ickymasho in addition to Flemington stakes-winner Harbour Views.

OTI colours were in the frame on the earlier winner Banderas, a Lope de Vega colt that also started favourite at Chester and scored a strong maiden win at his fourth start after two minor placings this year.

“Banderas is a nice stayer for the future. He has a great temperament and a nice pedigree. There's a lot to like about him. He wants cut in the ground. We wouldn't run him on good to firm,” said his trainer Michael Bell.

Banderas was bought for 95,000 guineas from Tattersalls October Book 1 Yearling Sale from Ballylinch Stud, who retain a share in the ownership.

He is the second winner from stakes-winner Glamorous Approach, a three-quarter sister by New Approach to dual Group I winner Poetic Flare.

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