Racing: Ortensia 'deserves' win

Tony Noonan. Photo / Kenny Rodger

Victorian trainer Tony Noonan says Ortensia will be at her top for the group one Futurity Stakes at Caulfield today after two big-race conditioning runs this campaign.

Noonan said the 5-year-old mare was deserving of a group one victory and would get her chance against some of the best weight-for-age performers in the 1400m feature.

The Futurity will be her 25th start and her 10th at group one level.

Last start, she peaked on her run when beaten 11/2 lengths, finishing third to Typhoon Tracy and Heart Of Dreams in the Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.

"I couldn't fault her preparation and she is at the top of her game," Noonan said.

Since finishing fifth in the Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin in December, Ortensia was beaten 31/2 lengths when fourth to Whitefriars in group two Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley on January 28.

Ortensia has eased from $9.50 to $12 with Sportingbet Australia, while More Joyous is the solid $1.65 favourite ahead of Whobegotyou ($6) and King Mufhasa ($12 in to $10).

"It's a hard race on Saturday but I'm happy with her and I think she will run well," he said.

"She deserves a group one win."

The Orr Stakes was the third time Ortensia had been placed at top level.

She was also third in the 2009 Stradbroke Handicap and the Patinack Farm Classic (1200m) at Flemington last spring, while she had the 2010 The Galaxy in Sydney taken off her after a positive swab.

- AAP