Australian syndicator OTI Racing have made a timely acquisition of Skippers Canyon, with the promising three-year-old set to potentially recoup a portion of their outlay in Saturday’s $350,000 Remutaka Classic (2100m) at Trentham.
Bred by Ardsley Stud, the Belardo gelding has shown plenty of promise for trainer Jim Wallace, placing on four occasions before breaking through for his maiden victory over 2100m at Otaki earlier this month.
Terry Henderson’s OTI Racing came calling over the weekend, and a deal was struck this week, with Skippers Canyon to remain in Wallace’s care at Opaki, and he will race for the first time in OTI Racing’s familiar silks this weekend.
“I have always had a decent opinion of him,” Jim Wallace said. “It has taken a long time for the pennies to drop in the right slots in his head, but he got it all together pretty well last time.
“He runs for my barn on Saturday and then it will depend what he does as to what happens after that. There is a chance he will stay with me, but that is a decision OTI will make after Saturday.
“I am absolutely rapt to be taking him down on Saturday because it is a race I have set him for for quite a while and everything has fallen into place so far.
“It is a good deal for us and hopefully it is a good deal for them (OTI).”
Skippers Canyon is nominated for the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie on Champions Day in March, for which he is at a winning quote of $18 with Neds, and Wallace is hopeful of a bold showing this weekend to aid his chances of continuing towards the $1 million classic.
“I couldn’t be happier with him. His work yesterday (Tuesday), which was his main piece of work, was very good. He is pretty much right on track,” Wallace said.
“The draw (17) isn’t going to make too much difference to him because he gets back anyway.”
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