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 Gr.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.

Top Top Tea continues Wrote roll

Dennis Yip’s promising second starter, Top Top Tea, continued a good run for his sire Wrote when winning the Class 4 Mut Wah Handicap (1200m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday.

In the process, the talented four-year-old carried Brazilian jockey Ruan Maia to his first victory since October 26 following 70 consecutive losses.

“I’m very happy because it’s been two months without a winner, but I keep working and keep my head up. Sometimes, the right horse comes to your hand, and this one ran well first start from a bad draw,” Maia said.

“He ran nicely then, so I was 100 per cent confident he could win. I’m so happy with this win.”

Earlier on the card the Danny Shum trained debutant Chill Chibi, also by Wrote, went within a short head of winning the Class 4 Tsun Yip Handicap (1650m) after momentarily being held-up.

Highview Stud’s Group One winning High Chaparral stallion Wrote has enjoyed a good week, with his four-year-old daughter Wrote To Arataki a good winner at Flemington on New Year’s Day, while Creator, Love Letter and Nancy She Wrote have all been winners in New Zealand this week.

Wrote will be represented by 22 yearlings in the Book 2 Sale at Karaka which commences on February 1, immediately following the conclusion of the three-day Book 1 Sale which starts on Juanuary 29.