Observer takes softer route to the 2025 Victoria Derby

Ciaron Maher says patience will be key with promising colt Observer, who is still learning his craft before tackling Australia’s top weight-for-age races.

While the Cox Plate (2040m) was briefly on the table, Maher and the Godolphin camp have instead chosen the Drummond Golf Vase over the same trip as a stepping stone toward the Victoria Derby (2500m).

Observer’s unlucky third in the Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on October 11 confirmed his potential but also his rawness.

“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.

Despite interest in tackling the older horses, Maher noted that the colt’s limited racing experience was the decisive factor.

“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 provide a perfect test before tackling the 2500m of 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.”

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