Victoria Derby victor colt Observer has resumed from a spell to claim a victory in his initial appearance at Caulfield.
Resuming following his triumph in the Victoria Derby back in November, Observer received an ideal steer from rider Ethan Brown to capture the Group 2 Autumn Stakes (1400m) held on Saturday.
As the $4 co-favourite, Observer fended off the closing bid by Planet Red ($4.40), prevailing by 1-¾ lengths, while Victorius Spirit ($51) finished another three-quarters-of-a-length back in third position.
Ciaron Maher’s charge Observer is now set to contest the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on February 28.
Jack Turnbull, National Assistant Trainer for Ciaron Maher Racing, noted that Observer had developed considerably since his spring preparation into the autumn series.
“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 indicated that the Maher stable along with Observer’s owners Godolphin would convene post-Australian Guineas to outline the path forward for the three-year-old.
Jockey Ethan Brown, who rode Observer to an unfortunate third in last spring’s Group 1 Caulfield Guineas prior to Mark Zahra handling the colt in his Moonee Valley Vase and Victoria Derby successes, praised the preparation by the Maher team for securing a first-up win at 1400m.
“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. Fans eager for the Australian Guineas can compare options across leading Australian betting sites.”
The post Observer impresses in first-up Caulfield win first appeared on Just Horse Racing.