Trainer Danny O’Brien hopes to complete another career highlight with Cannae’s appearance in the South Australian Derby at Morphettville.
With 23 Group 1 victories already under his belt, O’Brien has shared ownership stakes in select past winners.
Nevertheless, he lacks a complete ownership success at Group 1 level, which he believes Cannae could deliver in the 2518m Group 1 three-year-old showdown on 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.”
O’Brien and spouse Nina own Cannae outright, who enters his fifth race on Saturday, the precise number O’Brien’s former Derby conqueror Russian Camelot was on in 2020.
The gelding debuted at Sandown in January and broke through with a maiden at Caulfield Heath in February, leading O’Brien to nominate Derby aspirations.
Runner-up efforts ensued in the Morphettville Guineas (1600m) and the Port Adelaide Guineas (1800m) and O’Brien holds no fears over the longer journey.
“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.”
O’Brien bought Cannae for $20,000 during the Magic Millions 2024 Adelaide Yearling Sale, and post his Caulfield Heath victory plus recent seconds, global inquiries arrived.
“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 trades at $26 in early Derby betting, behind first standby Accidental Bid at $2.70 without a guaranteed spot yet.
Head to the betting sites offering the best racing betting markets for the South Australian Derby.
