Observer, the colt who took out the Victoria Derby, has kicked off his campaign with a win at Caulfield after time away.
Back for his debut run post the November Victoria Derby conquest, Observer was treated to a masterly ride by Ethan Brown to land the Group 2 Autumn Stakes (1400m) this Saturday.
At $4 tied favourite, Observer withstood Planet Red’s ($4.40) closing effort to win by 1-¾ lengths, leaving Victorius Spirit ($51) a further three-quarters-of-a-length behind in third.
Ciaron Maher’s trainee Observer is bound for the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington come February 28.
National Assistant Trainer Jack Turnbull from Ciaron Maher Racing remarked on Observer’s notable maturation from spring racing to autumn.
“We’ve taken the norton bit off and decided to go with the lugging bit today,” Turnbull said.
“To begin like he did and then for Ethan just to go with him and be in that position and travel so kind, it was good to see from our end.
“Then to respond and quicken, first-up off a Derby prep and so lightly raced, it was exciting.
“He’ll be second-up in the Australian Guineas in three weeks which is his early grand final and if we were to be successful then we could go a few different options.”
Turnbull shared that after the Australian Guineas, Ciaron Maher Racing and Godolphin, the owners of Observer, intend to plan ahead for the three-year-old.
Brown, responsible for Observer’s solid third in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas last spring before Mark Zahra piloted the wins in Moonee Valley Vase and Victoria Derby, lauded the Maher preparation for the first-up 1400m success.
“He can be a bit dour, but his last gallop was super,” Brown said.
“Ciaron has switched him on at the right time and in the mounting yard he perked up, and he knew where he was.
“The beauty of it is that he was fresh enough to hold a spot over 1400 (metres) so going up in trip he’ll dour out, but now that he can hold a spot makes it easier for connections, horse and jockey. Punters should view the betting markets for the race with Observer heading to the Australian Guineas.”
The post Observer impresses in first-up Caulfield win first appeared on Just Horse Racing.