Trainer Danny O’Brien wouldn’t object to interest from prospective Hong Kong purchasers following Cannae’s maiden triumph at Caulfield Heath.
However, the handler is also considering various Derby events across state borders for the three-year-old, coming off his victory at start number two in the Sportsbet Race Previews Plate (1500m) last Wednesday.
O’Brien invested $20,000 to secure the son of Maurice during the Magic Millions Sale in Adelaide as a yearling, intending to campaign the gelding in his own colours.
Alongside his wife Nina, O’Brien noted that Cannae was a late foal and somewhat undersized at the time of acquisition for the current three-year-old.
“I really liked him at the sales, and he was in the last 20 lots and was one of those ones that fell through the cracks, so I thought I’d give this one a crack myself,” O’Brien said.
“I’ll speck some, keep some to trade, and some to race.”
O’Brien mentioned no international bids had come for Cannae yet, though the recent success on Wednesday might alter that.
“He was never going to be a horse that showed up in 800-metre trials,” O’Brien said.
“He was always going to be one that had to develop into being this type of racehorse.
There is a decent enough market for these sorts of horses and Hong Kong loves these sorts of horses, three-year-old’s that are still lightly raced with the potential of getting to the Derby.”
Dispatched as the $2.80 elect with Damian Lane aboard, Cannae registered a short neck verdict over Peeaitchdee ($3), while Somethingintheair ($13) finished a length back in third.
Cannae’s initial appearance came at Sandown last month, closing from the rear, with O’Brien indicating the gelding has shown substantial progress.
“He’s building a foundation to being a pretty decent horse,” O’Brien said.
“He’s been picking up some pretty decent horses in his gallops. He has got that ability to quicken up and hit the line.
“His pedigree says, being by Maurice, he takes that leap at least to 2000 metres, so we’ve got plenty of options for at least the rest of his three-year-old year.
“We entered him last week for the Australian Derby, but that’s probably a bit soon and everything would have to fall into place, but there is also the South Australian Derby and Queensland Derby after that.”
For the best racing odds on Cannae’s upcoming Derby targets, explore the Australian betting sites.