Australian Racing: Reith to guide Otium to a double

There are four meetings set to take place on Monday, including at Port Macquarie, where seven races are scheduled.

They also race at Bathurst, Cairns and Narrogin.

Race 5 Port Macquarie

Otium @ 3.00

Race 4 Narrogin

Elsa's Pride @ 3.80

Race 6 Bathurst

Needing Attention @ 2.60

Otium to record Port Macquarie win

The fifth race at Port Macquarie is a 1509m Benchmark 58 handicap expected to be held on a good 4 surface.

All Hunky Dory is expected to start favourite, having shown up well in three starts so far this prep, including when runner-up in a Tamworth maiden at the start of December.

Formerly trained in Hong Kong, the eight-year-old has very few miles on the clock for one of his age, with that Tamworth effort coming on his Australian debut and first run since June 2021.

Trained by Adam Duggan, the gelding has won both subsequent starts including over 1600m on a soft 5 surface in a Taree Benchmark 58 handicap in January.

While Millie Thompson’s mount holds obvious claims, preference is for OTIUM, who hails from the in-form Wayne Wilkes stable that has won with three of their last seven runners.

The five-year-old showed good form last prep, including when placing in four consecutive starts culmination in a Muswellbrook second over 1750m in September.

The 3.00 pick was spelled following that effort and, while he failed to shine over 1200m here first up, he demonstrated significant improvement at Taree next time.

The son of Time Test came home just under half-a-length clear of his rivals when racing in Benchmark 58 handicap company on that occasion.

Barrier nine shouldn’t pose too many issues for the tactically versatile gelding and, with Christian Reith up, he is taken to complete a double.

Elsa's Pride to shine at Narrogin

The fourth race at Narrogin is an 1100m Benchmark 46+ handicap, with Pacific Lady expected to have her supporters for the Daniel & Ben Pearce team.

The daughter of Flying Artie boasts a good record fresh, having won two of her three starts when resuming, including over 1100m at York in May last year.

The five-year-old won by a length when contesting a similar race to this that day and, while she failed to shine on three subsequent starts, it’s of note that she jumped at big prices for two of those starts.

The mare trialled for this with a close second over 1000m at Belmont last month but, while she rates highly, ELSA'S PRIDE is the selection on this occasion.

Trained by Mack Hall the mare has finished in the first four in each of her last four outings including three times at Mount Barker.

While the six-year-old was beaten just under five lengths when third in a Class 2 handicap there last time out, she acquitted herself well when racing on a good 4 track that day.

Prior to that the 3.80 pick had recorded a third when beaten just under four lengths in a Benchmark 58+ handicap at the same venue when again racing on a sound surface.

The mare should have enough speed to negotiate barrier eight here and she is taken to record her first win in over two years.

Bathurst win awaits Needing Attention

At Bathurst the penultimate contest on their seven-race card is a 1300m Benchmark 66 handicap.

A soft 5 track is expected for the race, with the Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald-trained NEEDING ATTENTION the pick for victory.

The three-year-old showed good form earlier this prep, registering three consecutive wins, including by two-and-a-half-lengths over 1300m at Armidale.

The 2.60 selection contested a Class 2 handicap held on a soft 5 track that day, having previously won two races on a sound surface.

The filly jumped at $26 when finishing sixth of seven in a 1250m Benchmark 64 handicap at Canterbury on her most recent start last month.

Apprentice Olivia Dalton takes a valuable two kilograms off her back and the filly should find this event easier.