In trainer Danny O’Brien’s view, Closer To Free’s brief racing record won’t impede the colt’s bid in Victoria’s flagship juvenile race at Caulfield.
Closer To Free punched his ticket to Saturday’s Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield through a dominant debut in the Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) on February 7.
The purchase by O’Brien came after the colt’s trial win at Caulfield Heath nine days previously, trained then by Adrian Corboy.
Advancements have been evident in Closer To Free since his winning bow, with O’Brien at ease for the colt’s next assignment on Saturday.
Last year’s winner Devil Night succeeded similarly at start two, after running second in the Prelude a couple of weeks before.
“The narrative around his trial was that he was wound up, but Adrian told me he was three or four weeks behind with him because he got cast in his box over Christmas and he missed a couple of weeks work,” O’Brien said.
“When he came to the trials here, he said there was a lot of improvement in the horse and when I saw him in the yard before the Prelude I thought ‘he’s right, you might need another gallop’, but he came out of it really well and will be finding a couple of lengths on Saturday on top of what he’s already shown.”
O’Brien brushes aside any handicap from Closer To Free’s racing inexperience entering Saturday.
“The profile of these two-year-old races has changed over the last 15 or 20 years,” O’Brien said.
“The two-year-olds are not having as many starts as they used to before Christmas and ultimately, they get one or two post-Christmas before running in the Blue Diamond and even the Golden Slipper.
“I don’t think that is a disadvantage. I know when Star Witness won it, it was only his third race start, one start in December, one start in January, and then into to the Diamond.”
O’Brien cites alterations in local bloodstock for the tempered approach to early racing careers.
“When I first started in racing, there probably wasn’t the number of shuttle stallions standing,” O’Brien said.
“It was more the colonials, they were a bit hardier, a bit more get up get going early, whereas nearly every stallion in Australia now has some form of shuttle blood.
“There has been a gradual shift, so I don’t think there is any disadvantage and he has been very well educated and we can thank Adrian for that.
“He’s got a very natural brain and there will be no horse that will handle the parade better than him.
“He’s so relaxed.”
For the latest sports betting options on the Blue Diamond Stakes, visit trusted racing betting markets.