OTI Racing has sights on the Melbourne Cup

The Melbourne Cup may still be several months away, but OTI Racing is already deep into planning for a major spring assault.

On the local front, Roy Higgins winner Deakin returned to work this week to begin his build-up, while last year’s Queensland Derby victor Warmonger has also resumed. Across the Tasman, Mark Twain has recovered from injury and will begin his spring prep under the care of trainer Roger James starting June 4.

Meanwhile, on the international stage, OTI has multiple irons in the fire. French-based Sevenna’s Knight is on track for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe later this year but first tackles a Group 1 this weekend in a bid to secure a berth in the 4000m Gold Cup at Royal Ascot next month.

Joining him could be an intriguing newcomer named Sober, a stayer acquired last year in partnership with Irish trainer Willie Mullins. Sober, who won the Prix Kergolay two years ago, recently resumed with a hurdles victory at Killarney in his first run for the stable.

“He won the (Prix) Kergolay (3000m) a couple of years ago and we bought him with Willie at the Arc sale last year and step one was to jump him and although he didn’t jump that well, he got the job done,” OTI director Terry Henderson explained.

“The second step is that two-and-a-half-mile race on final day at Royal Ascot. So, we’ll go there and the plan then is to bring him over for the 2025 Melbourne Cup.

“He raced against Sevenna’s Knight last time in and while he’s just below Sevenna’s Knight, he is well and truly in Cups contention. He’s not qualified at the moment, but I think he wouldn’t be out of his depth in a Melbourne Cup.

“His program is typical Willie Mullins. He’s going through the same sort of routine that has seen him bring a few horses out over the last couple of years.”

Willie Mullins, having missed the mark with Vauban and Absurde in the past two Melbourne Cups, is determined to get it right this time around.

“I can assure you, the Melbourne Cup is a high agenda item for him,” Henderson said.

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