Observer boasts a Group 1 victory already, yet a sense of unresolved matters lingers as he steps back into elite competition this Saturday at Flemington.
The colt under Ciaron Maher’s guidance aims to secure the $1 million Australian Guineas alongside the Victoria Derby he claimed at the venue last spring.
Ghaiyyath’s progeny demonstrated his stamina over 2500 metres against peers in the Derby, though he had a unfortunate story from the Caulfield Guineas prior, and trainer Maher is keen for him to notch a 1600m Group 1 on his record.
“I think he showed there that he’s good enough to win at that level over that trip,” Maher said of his Caulfield Guineas run, when beaten 2-1/2 lengths by Autumn Boy.
“I hope he can do it for him and his future.
“You would think he’ll only better at Flemington, just with the style he races and the set-up of the track.
“He was good first-up, but he’d be much better at the mile and beyond.”
Since the Caulfield Guineas, Observer has triumphed in all three subsequent outings, with the Derby following a dominant display in the Moonee Valley Vase (2040m), and he launched this preparation via a powerful front-running success in the Autumn Stakes (1400m).
Maher skipped that event with the 2021 Victoria Derby-Australian Guineas double achiever Hitotsu, noting Observer’s effort in the February 7 1400m contest as evidence of his growing sophistication.
“With Hitotsu, we were very confident to go in fresh at the mile, but with this horse, I wanted to give him a run,” Maher said.
“He’s a different style of horse, he’s a bit more relaxed this time around. He went from the Norton (bit) back to the normal bridle last start, so he is maturing as he goes and is getting stronger.”
Ethan Brown, who partnered Observer during the Caulfield Guineas, stepped in for the sidelined Mark Zahra aboard in the Autumn Stakes and keeps the mount for the Guineas.
Observer holds $2.40 favouritism for the Australian Guineas ahead of Chris Waller’s Sixties, victor in the C S Hayes Stakes (1400m), at $3 second pick.
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