Trainer Ciaron Maher believes there’s no rush for Observer to take on Australia’s elite weight-for-age performers just yet.
Maher, in partnership with the Godolphin team, opted to steer clear of the Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley this Saturday, instead targeting the Drummond Golf Vase over the same distance earlier on the card.
The colt was luckless in the Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on October 11, finishing third behind Autumn Boy after a tough run.
Connections believe Saturday’s Vase will be the perfect springboard toward the Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington next weekend.
“He’s bounced through his Guineas run and I was sort of toying with the Cox Plate but speaking with the Godolphin team we decided to go to the Vase and then on to the Derby,” Maher said.
Maher revealed several discussions had taken place regarding a Cox Plate berth but ultimately decided against it due to the colt’s limited race experience.
“In the end, he is a horse that is very lightly raced and if you go back through all the other horses that have been successful in the race, baring So You Think, most had had more racing than him,” Maher said.
“He’s a horse that’s not fully rounded yet in terms of his racing patterns.
“You see a horse like Tempted take on the older horses, she’s very well rounded.
“She jumps, takes a position, travels, quickens, does everything right, whereas Observer is still reasonably raw and that was probably the catalyst.
“You might say it’s not a vintage Cox Plate, but Via Sistina smashed the course record last year, so how strong do you need it to be.
“He’s a raw horse with a very bright future and he could run in the next four Cox Plates.”
Maher said the 2040m will suit perfectly ahead of stretching to 2500m in the Derby.
“I expected him to run well in the Guineas as he’s a Ghaiyyath and they seem to be really hitting their straps here now,” Maher said.
“He may have exceeded (expectations) in the Guineas, but it didn’t surprise.”
Those looking to bet on the Drummond Golf Vase or Victoria Derby can find the latest odds via trusted Australian betting sites like Sportsbet, Ladbrokes, and TAB.
