Improving three year old O’Tauto will tackle ‘The Mile’ for the first time when he steps out in the Group 1 $1m Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Amphitrite, above, is the pre-post favourite for the 2019 Australian Guineas at Flemington. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
O’Tauto is rated a $31 chance for the Australian Guineas in pre-post betting at Ladbrokes.com.au but trainer Greg Eurell is expecting a top showing following his last start third over 1400m in the Group 3 $160,000 C S Hayes Stakes at Flemington on February 16.
“I’ve always said he just seems a real miler and all his runs have suggested he will get further,” Eurell told AAP.
“So it will be interesting to see on Saturday what he does do over the mile.
“His last furlong was good last start and he gave us no reason not to head in this direction.
“He’s going to come up against some tough opposition but I thought his run last start was good and he had had a gap between runs as well, so certainly fitness wise that would have helped him along a touch.
“He’s in super order and I just hope we get a good draw.”
The lightly raced O’Tauto has only been to the races on five occasions for two wins, a debut win in a Cranbourne Maiden and a win at Flemington two starts back in a BenchMark 70 Handicap over 1400m.
The ex-Darren Weir trained filly Amphitrite, now under the care of the Lindsay Park Team, is the current $4.60 favourite for the Australian Guineas after she returned a winner in Group 3 $160,000 The Vanity (1400m) at Flemington on February 16.
On the second line of betting at $5 is the Tassie trained Mystic Journey who is the winner of her last four starts which includes her last start win against the older horses at weight for age in the $100,000 Magic Millions Thomas Lyons (1400m) at Hobart on February 10.
Early betting for the 2019 Australian Guineas at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4.60 Amphitrite, $5 Mystic Journey, $6 Hawkshot, Ringerdingding, $9 Verry Elleegant, $11 Extra Brut, $13 The Inevitable, $14 Stars Of Carrum, $16 Chapada, Dealmaker, $17 Ranier, $19 Adana, $26 Long Leaf, $31 Declarationofheart, El Dorado Dreaming, O’Tauto, Scottish Rogue, $41 or better the rest.
