Group one target for Daqiansweet Junior
The Phillip Stokes-trained Daqiansweet Junior had a quiet jumpout at Pakenham over 1000m this week as the son of Sweet Orange builds towards autumn targets.
OTI Racing CEO Terry Henderson said last year’s Adelaide Cup winner will head north to Sydney this preparation before eventually having another tilt at the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m), having run so well in that event last year to finish in sixth place.
“He’s very well, we’re very happy with him,” Henderson said.
“We’ll probably keep him in mind to go through the Roy Higgins (Listed, 2800m) and then onto the Sydney Cup (Gr.1, 3200m). I don’t think he’ll go to the Adelaide Cup again.”
The smart stayer was originally trained in New Zealand by Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman, for whom he was a multiple winner and Group Three placed before being purchased privately by OTI Racing on the recommendation of bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo.