Ottoman Succeeds In Percy Sykes

Ottoman won the Group Three Girvan Waugh Percy Sykes Stakes narrowly from stable companion Calaverite over six furlongs at Royal Randwick, Australia, on Saturday, April 11.

In a thrilling finish, the two-year-old Exceed And Excel filly, trained by John O'Shea and ridden by Sam Clipperton, triumphed on the nod by a short half-head from Calaverite with James McDonald up.

Ottoman was slow into stride but soon recovered to race keenly on the inside in fifth. She moved up to be fourth turning in and came through to challenge a furlong out on the inside.

She ran on to lead on the line from the rallying Lonhro filly Calaverite who had led early and then raced in second.

Calaverite took the lead again two furlongs out before being headed by Lake Geneva at the distance.

She rallied in the closing stages to challenge for the lead and just lost out, with Lake Geneva a further head away in third.

Ottoman won over six furlongs in 1m 12.44s on heavy going.

John O'Shea said: "Ottoman was one-off the rail on the corner, then switched back to push up along the inside rail to go head-to-head with Calaverite and Lake Geneva.

"She got her nose in front on the line. It was a very good run and she fought out a tough final 100 metres to get the job done.

"Calaverite fought doggedly throughout and I thought she had actually bobbed at the right time to beat Ottoman. She handled the heavy going well and it was a very good performance."