Winning Horse: Blue Ocean (NZ)

4yoG Ocean Park (NZ) - Quizzical (NZ)(Carnegie (Ire))

14 starts - 2 wins 3 seconds 4 thirds $114068

Other Wins

1st Werribee Mt Duneed Estate Mdn Plate 1610m (2020)

Other Placings

3rd Morphettville Tab (Bm72) 2025m (2021)

2nd Sandown-Lakeside Tile Importer (Bm64) 2100m (2021)

2nd Sandown-Hillside Clanbrooke Racing (Bm64) 1800m (2021)

3rd Sandown-Hillside Ladbrokes Odds Boost (Bm64) 1600m (2021)

2nd Flemington Efficient Hcp 2000m (2020)

3rd Pakenham O'connor Premium Beef Mdn 1400m (2020)

3rd Taupo Get Set Event Mdn 1300m (2019) (Debut Run)

Race Result:

1st: Blue Ocean (P Stokes/B Allen) - $10

2nd: Excelman (R Laming/D Oliver) - $6
3rd: Zachaz (Maher & Eustace/M Cartwright) - $7

Winning Time: 1:49.35 Last 600m: N/A

Margins: Long Neck x ¾L

Winning Trainer: Phillip Stokes

“He’s been super consistent this prep but I think he’s one of those horses that when he gets to the outside he shows a turn-of-foot. His last couple of runs back in Adelaide and Sandown he gon on the inside of horses and Ben gave him a lovely ride in the three-wide position and he was tough.

“His sectionals said he was going well this prep and it was a good ride and great to get a win for OTI and all the owners in this horse.”

On Ben Allen: “He’s riding super. He does a lot of work for us and it is good to reward him.”

Winning Jockey: Ben Allen

“I rode against him last start and he pulled quite hard and wouldn’t settle. Today he was a different horse. He gave me no troubles and got into a nice rhythm. Just got him the back of one that would take us into it and he did the rest.

“He felt pretty genuine. I had a few options early but instead of the fence I went one-off. That was probably a lucky move. He gave us a good run, he tried hard and this might be his ideal distance.”

His own form: “Over the past year I had a bit of trouble with form but I’ve got a lot of good people behind me. Denis is a massive help with my form, James Winks who has played a key part and my sister Mandy who manages me. I’ve got to ride on raceday but she’s got to pick the right ones.”