Rich Hill Stud’s John Thompson has owned some very good horses over the years but trainer Richard Otto reckons Sir Andrew (NZ) will be his best yet.

Sir Andrew (3g Sir Percy – Biennale by Royal Academy) is on the road to realising that potential after a Group 2 victory in the Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m).  “I said to John a year ago that this horse will be the best you’ve ever raced,” Te Awamutu based Otto said on Saturday.  “Now we are off to Melbourne.”

Thompson and his wife Margaret have enjoyed outstanding success with Otto with the likes of Atapi, Sound The Alarm, Penitentiary and Pacific Dancer.

“Sir Andrew will run in the Carbine Club Stakes on Derby Day at Flemington and then the Sandown Guineas,” Otto said.  “Our long-term aim is the Australian Derby in the autumn.  He’s bred to go two miles.”

Sir Andrew settled well back in the field at Hastings before rider Mark Du Plessis angled wider on the home turn.  They motored home down the outside of the track to collar the favourite All Decked Out (Darci Brahma) on the line

The winner’s sire Sir Percy (Mark of Esteem) was a G1 winner of the Dewhurst Stakes and English Derby and shuttled from Lanwades Stud in England to Rich Hill Stud for three southern books until 2011.