News

Ortensia to run in Australia Stakes

23rd Jan 2011

AAP Racing - Mark Ryan - Sunday, 23 January 2011

Ortensia is set to take on reigning Horse Of The Year Typhoon Tracy in the Group Two Australia Stakes under lights at Moonee Valley on Friday.

The five-year-old has been freshened up since running fifth to J J The Jet Plane in the Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin on December 12.

"She's been out of quarantine for nearly two weeks now. We were able to keep her ticking over in Hong Kong and then at Werribee," trainer Tony Noonan said.

"RVL (Racing Victoria) helped out terrifically in making the facilities at Werribee available to us and that has enabled us to look at an autumn campaign with her.

"She was the only racehorse there but we were able to take a pony out with her to keep her company.

"For a fortnight after Hong Kong she was on her own which is always a concern.

"But her groom Lisa Jones, who looked after her in Hong Kong, was also with her at Werribee so she had continuity in the sense that she had a human there all the time."

"She lacked a bit of company but she's a pretty independent mare and has come though that really well and looks super.

"She's a sensible and intelligent mare and now she's pretty seasoned.

"The trip to Hong Kong was fantastic. She didn't win the big prize but she performed well and seems to have come through it really well and we're looking forward to an autumn with her.

"She hasn't raced in the autumn in Melbourne before so we're looking forward to it. It may be a part of the year which suits her best and she's well prepared for it."

Meanwhile stablemate Kutchinsky will trial over 1190m at Cranbourne on Monday.

The Australian Cup entrant will be trialling for the second time this month having run second over 1000m at Pakenham on January 10.

The four-year-old hasn't raced since finishing second to Dariana in the Group One Queensland Derby in June.

A winner at three of his 10 starts, the gelding won over 2000 metres at Flemington before taking out the Group Three Grand Prix Stakes (2200m) at Eagle Farm, both last May.

"He's coming along nicely. Unfortunately he missed the the spring with a virus that he got in Brisbane after the Derby," Noonan said.

"We brought him back to Melbourne and he had about a month's work before going out for the spring.

"He went out a healthy horse and come back well. He's already had a trial and after Monday's he'll be ready to go back to the races."