Colt Observer, last seen winning the Victoria Derby, has made a successful return from a break with a victory at Caulfield.
In his first outing since the Victoria Derby success in November, Observer got a flawless ride from jockey Ethan Brown en route to victory in Saturday’s Group 2 Autumn Stakes (1400m).
Dispatched as the $4 equal elect, Observer saw off the late surge of Planet Red ($4.40) by 1-¾ lengths, as Victorius Spirit ($51) ended up three-quarters-of-a-length further adrift in third.
The Ciaron Maher-prepared Observer heads next to the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) over 1600m at Flemington on February 28.
Jack Turnbull, National Assistant Trainer at Ciaron Maher Racing, observed that Observer had advanced markedly from his spring efforts to the current autumn phase.
“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 mentioned that post-Australian Guineas, the Maher team and Observer’s owners Godolphin would discuss plans for the three-year-old.
Ethan Brown, who steered Observer into a gallant third during last spring’s Group 1 Caulfield Guineas before handing over to Mark Zahra for the Moonee Valley Vase and Victoria Derby wins, commended the Maher stable’s first-up preparation over 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. Explore the racing betting markets for Observer in the Australian Guineas.”
The post Observer impresses in first-up Caulfield win first appeared on Just Horse Racing.
