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Group One winner Ortensia geared up for her planned trip to Dubai with a rousing barrier trial win at Randwick today.
Photo by Racing and Sports
Ortensia, a member of the Scone-based Paul Messara stable, was on her game when she easily won a strong 1000m heat on the Kensington track by 1.75 lengths in the good time of 59.5 seconds.
She was too sharp for a strong field that included Group winners including Ilovethiscity, Metal Bender, Shannara, Jersey Lily and All Silent.
Messara told Racing and Sports last week that he is keen to take Ortensia to Dubai for the $1 million Al Quoz Sprint over 1000m on the World Cup program at Meydan on March 31.
The plan is to fly the six-year-old to the Middle East early next month and spend about four weeks preparing for the sprint on the turf track.
If Ortensia runs to expectations in Dubai Messara is looking to push on to the UK with the mare for the G1 King's Stand Stakes and G1 Diamond Jubilee at Royal Ascot in June.
Ortensia hasn't raced since she won the G1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot in Perth in November after winning first-up over 1100m at Fleming ton during the spring carnival after her Scone based owner Alister Fraser decided to defer her retirement to stud.
