After over a year away from the track, Otago is set to make his racing return this Saturday at Bendigo—but not in one of the day’s headline races.
Trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr have opted to reintroduce the four-year-old via an $80,000 benchmark 70 race, easing him back into competition with a view toward building momentum.
The comeback race holds added significance, as it marks a return to the venue where Otago began his career with a convincing maiden victory over 1300m in December 2023. Kent emphasised that their primary goal is a safe and solid run.
“He’s morphed into a beautiful, big, strong four-year-old and he’s probably going to take the run on Saturday given it’s his first run back in over a year,” Kent said.
“Hence, we’re probably going to aim him at the benchmark 70 over 1300 with a claim, hoping that his class might get him there, but realistically he’s going to improve a lot for the run.
“He won on debut at Bendigo over 1300, so we think that suits, but if he gets beaten for a lack of fitness late that won’t perturb us for what we’ve got in store for him.
“As long as he gets back to the races, runs well, hits out properly and pulls up well, then we can look forward to going up in trip second-up.”
Otago, wearing the Roll The Dice colours, is also nominated for the $130,000 BM84 over 1300m, though the trainers are leaning toward the easier assignment for his first-up run.
The son of Ocean Park made headlines early in his career with back-to-back wins at Bendigo and Flemington, quickly positioning himself among Australian Guineas hopefuls. He finished fourth in the CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) before a below-par run in the Group 1 Australian Guineas.
A stress-related injury then halted his rise. Kent said the horse has been given a cautious, patient rehab, including two recent Cranbourne jumpouts, where he placed sixth and fourth respectively.
“Those injuries typically heal really well and it’s not normally a problem for them, but he’s had a long, slow build-up and you can’t replace race fitness with what you do at home,” Kent said.
“We haven’t crunched the horse at home, he’s just been brought up nice and slowly, everything’s been on the bridle, and I thought he trialled quite nicely at Cranbourne.
“He’s got a really nice benchmark rating and, knowing where his ability’s at, we should be able to go through the grades with him but there are no ambitious plans at this stage.”
The Bendigo meeting is shaping up to be a strong one, with Otago joining a program highlighted by the $200,000 Listed Golden Mile (1600m), $200,000 Bendigo Guineas (1400m), $150,000 Bendigo Gold Bracelet (1400m), and $250,000 VOBIS Gold Rush (1000m).
