OTI Director bullish on Small Fry’s Melbourne Cup prospects

OTI Racing Director Terry Henderson believes Small Fry has the credentials to emerge as a Melbourne Cup contender, with the import set to tackle Wednesday’s Geelong Cup in a crucial step towards the first Tuesday in November.

Henderson discussed the journey to Australia and the challenges international horses face in qualifying for the Melbourne Cup.

Small Fry came to OTI Racing after being recommended by Kevin Blake, with Henderson explaining the initial plan was to develop the horse over a two-year period.

“Kevin referred the horse to us after it had been passed through at the sales,” Henderson said on SENTrack & RSN’s Giddy Up.

“We liked the horse and he was going to be a two-year project.”

However, the gelding has shown enough ability to give connections confidence that he could measure up to Australia's biggest staying test.

“The numbers say he will be quick enough to win the Melbourne Cup, he can turn up some good sectionals,” Henderson said.

“If he is midfield with cover in the Geelong Cup tomorrow, he’s a good chance.”

Small Fry's performances overseas have provided encouragement, with Henderson pointing to his run at Ascot before a subsequent appearance at Goodwood.

“Small Fry made good ground at Ascot and we were able to make good ground, that gave us the encouragement to go onto Goodwood but we were probably a bit unlucky there,” he said.

“We are very happy with how he travelled over, he has settled down really well.

“I watched him work last week and was really pleased with what I saw.”

While Small Fry's immediate focus is the Geelong Cup, Henderson also raised broader concerns about the Melbourne Cup qualification system and the financial challenges facing international connections.

He highlighted the significant costs involved in bringing a horse from Ireland to Australia, particularly when there is no guarantee of securing a start in the $10 million feature.

“To come out from Ireland you don't get any change for the airfare and quarantine out of $120,000,” Henderson said.

“There are some good horses that deserve to be in the Melbourne Cup but may not have the scale to qualify.

“Yet there will be a lot of ordinary locals in the race due to the no-lose situation to qualify compared to internationals.

“I think the Melbourne Cup deserves to have more cream on the top.”

For Henderson and OTI Racing, Small Fry's Geelong Cup assignment represents an important opportunity to strengthen his Melbourne Cup credentials, with connections hopeful the imported stayer can turn his promising performances into a place on Australia's biggest racing stage.