Ottoman Second In Reisling

Ottoman finished second in the six-furlong Group Two Guinness Reisling Stakes at Royal Randwick, Australia, on Saturday, March 7.

The two-year-old Exceed And Excel filly, trained by John O'Shea and ridden by James McDonald, was held up in third last of the nine runners and raced keenly.

She continued to pull hard and moved up turning in to go third before the straight.

Ottoman ran on well but did not get to the front with English coming through to hold her in the final furlong and win by three quarters of a length in 1m 10.19s on good going.

Stable companion Calaverite, with Sam Clipperton, jumped well and raced in third, then fourth and was checked at halfway. The Lonhro filly kept on in the straight and finished sixth, beaten three lengths.

John O'Shea said: "Ottoman began okay from a wider draw and dropped back to get cover. The early tempo slowed and she got on the back of a horse that was over-racing as she was.

"She had to make a long sustained run and was very strong late, held her ground and, if anything, was taking ground off the winner. That has got us back in the game and, so long as she draws a decent gate, she is going to be right in the finish of the Golden Slipper. I thought her run was outstanding.

"Calaverite angled outwards after a furlong but was boxed-in turning into the straight. She then suffered bad interference and nearly came down.

"She struggled to pick herself up and had to try to regain momentum. Her run was acceptable under the circumstances, the interference didn't cost her a win but it probably cost her a placing."

The Group One Tooheys New Golden Slipper takes place over six furlongs on March 21.