OTI Racing has enjoyed plenty of success sourcing and racing thoroughbreds out of New Zealand, and principal Terry Henderson is keen to continue their investment across the Tasman tonight.

The Australian syndicator is keen to secure a slot in the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m), which will have its inaugural running next year, with bidding set to commence at the slot auction at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Karaka Sales centre at 7.30pm.

"We buy 60 percent of our horses out of New Zealand, so we're very heavily entrenched in the market generally," Henderson told Racing.com.

"We've got a very strong connection with Phill Cataldo there, who has been our agent over there for 20 years.

"We think the style of the race they have set up is very good, we think it can be an economically sound decision if you've got horses that are racing over there or if you can take them back.

"We think it's well worth having a dip. Whether we're successful or not, well the money will decide that. We'll certainly be trying.

"I think there are about 40 parties who have nominated, so it'll be pretty stiff competition, you'd think some of the players like Coolmore and Te Akau etc will be more aggressive.”

It would be fitting for OTI Racing to secure a slot in the week of the Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m), with Vin De Dance having carried their blue, gold and white silks to victory in the 2018 edition of the Classic.