Ottoman And Antelucan Get Their Chance At Flemington

Time/Date -14.00hrs local time/Thursday, November 5, 2015
Racecourse/Country - Flemington/Australia
Surface/Distance - Turf/1100m

The opportunity to return to their best has been presented to the fillies Ottoman and Antelucan in the G3, 1100m Gucci Stakes at Flemington on Thursday, November 5.

Ottoman (John O'Shea/James McDonald) and Antelucan (John O'Shea/Glen Boss) both have above average ability and have been waiting for the right race in which to make their spring carnival re-appearances.

"We've had Antelucan entered for a few races, but she hadn't drawn that well," O'Shea said.

"This race down the straight track should suit her. She's drawn out wide where we're hoping the track will be in good shape and we're also hoping she gets some company."

Antelucan last raced on September 25 at Moonee Valley where she finished ninth in a G3 race.

That was her first start since running down the track behind Takedown in the G3 Black Opal Stakes in Canberra in March.

"She's been down in Melbourne for a while and her only win was down the straight here at Flemington at her first start," O'Shea said.

"So she knows all about the track and I'm hoping she can show us something."

Ottoman has raced twice since her winter spell, both times in strong races.

Last time she finished seventh behind her stablemate Pearls in the G2 Tea Rose Stakes at Randwick on September 19.

She has since won a barrier trial in good style, indicating her readiness to reproduce her winning form.

"She's won on wet and dry tracks and has always shown us good ability, so I'm hoping she can race up to that," O'Shea said.

Ottoman has also drawn on the grandstand side of the Flemington straight and, like Antelucan, she will be looking for company to race with.

The most serious opposition to the Godolphin fillies is likely to come from Lake Geneva, a Golden Slipper placegetter of last season who found her best form to win at her most recent start.