Trainer Danny O’Brien is set to chase another milestone when Cannae lines up in the South Australian Derby at Morphettville.
O’Brien boasts 23 Group 1 triumphs to his name and has occasionally held shares in the ownership of certain victories among them.
However, he has yet to own a horse completely that has claimed success at the elite level, a feat he is hopeful Cannae can achieve in the 2518m Group 1 feature for three-year-olds this Saturday.
“I’ve had shares in horses like Star Witness, Miami Bound that won Group 1 races,” O’Brien said.
“But I’ve not won a Group 1 as an owner on my own, and it’s a box I’d like to tick.”
Cannae is in the hands of O’Brien and his wife Nina and is gearing up for his fifth career outing on Saturday, matching the start count of O’Brien’s prior Derby victor Russian Camelot back in 2020.
The gelding kicked off his racing journey at Sandown in January prior to securing a maiden win at Caulfield Heath in February, prompting O’Brien to declare his Derby plans.
Subsequent placings came in the Morphettville Guineas (1600m) and the Port Adelaide Guineas (1800m) as O’Brien remains relaxed about the distance increase.
“He’s done a good job. He’s only run four times, and he’s built nicely towards this,” O’Brien said.
“We always thought he would stay and we think he’s had a nice preparation to get to the 2500 (metres).
“He was off a five-week break last start and he’s definitely better for it and you never know with the trip, but he’s by Maurice and he gives us all the indications he will stay.
“We’ve taken our time with him to make sure he got there and he’ll get his chance and I’m looking forward to seeing him in the Derby.”
Cannae fetched $20,000 at the Magic Millions 2024 Adelaide Yearling Sale and O’Brien noted that overseas bids had surfaced after the gelding’s Caulfield Heath success and recent placings.
“Like a lot of those offers, they come and they go and don’t come through,” O’Brien said.
“He’s always for sale and sometimes you’re happy they fall over, so he runs for me in the Derby.”
Cannae sits at $26 in the current Derby markets while first emergency Accidental Bid, not yet confirmed to run, leads as the $2.70 top pick.
Explore the Australian betting sites for top racing odds on the South Australian Derby.