The Australian-based operation's colours were carried to victory on Saturday by
Vinnie Colgan aboard Romancer in the Listed Schneider Electric Mufhasa Stakes
and by Mark Du Plessis on Night's Watch in the Laser Group Services Maiden."I'm over in France at the moment, but I got up to watch both the races," said Henderson, who runs OTI with former Australian cricket international Simon O'Donnell.
Both Romancer and Night's Watch, who are by the Westbury Stud-based sire Redwood, are held in high regard and will be on paths toward the $1 million Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby on March 4.
Prepared by Donna Logan and Chris Gibbs, Romancer was a horse Henderson took a shine to as a yearling.
"I was the under bidder when Donna bought him at Karaka and we got the chance to buy into him whereas with Knight's Watch we only acquired a stake in him about six weeks ago," Henderson said.
"We are buying a lot more horses from New Zealand and I'll be at Karaka next year."
Romancer got back in the early stages in a genuinely run affair then lengthened stride strongly to beat Royal Mojito and I Am Gracie.
"He was impressive and I didn't really expect that – bring on the Derby in March," Logan said.
Night's Watch, who is prepared by Peter and Dawn Williams and Paul Richards, was slow to get into stride on debut before he came widest on the turn and finished off powerfully for an easy win in the hands of Du Plessis.
"I said to Mark to let him work into it and give him clear air," Peter Williams said. "He's got a really nice stride and his mission is the Derby." – NZ Racing Desk.
