Flemington showdown as Observer eyes Guineas atonement
The colt Observer enters the fray with a Group 1 success under his belt, carrying a hint of incomplete objectives upon his elite return this Saturday at Flemington.
Trained by Ciaron Maher, the youngster targets the $1 million Australian Guineas to complement his Victoria Derby conquest from last spring at the same course.
This Ghaiyyath offspring validated his capacity for 2500 metres versus his cohort in the Derby, but carried a tale of misfortune from the earlier Caulfield Guineas, prompting Maher's desire to bag a 1600m Group 1.
"I think he showed there that he's good enough to win at that level over that trip," Maher said of his Caulfield Guineas run, when beaten 2-1/2 lengths by Autumn Boy.
"I hope he can do it for him and his future.
"You would think he'll only better at Flemington, just with the style he races and the set-up of the track.
"He was good first-up, but he'd be much better at the mile and beyond."
Post-Caulfield Guineas, Observer has remained unbeaten in three races, the Derby coming after a commanding victory in the Moonee Valley Vase (2040m), while his current campaign began with a robust leading effort in the Autumn Stakes (1400m).
That race was one Maher omitted for Hitotsu, the 2021 Derby-Guineas double winner, and he views Observer's February 7 showing over 1400m as a marker of development.
"With Hitotsu, we were very confident to go in fresh at the mile, but with this horse, I wanted to give him a run," Maher said.
"He's a different style of horse, he's a bit more relaxed this time around. He went from the Norton (bit) back to the normal bridle last start, so he is maturing as he goes and is getting stronger."
In the Autumn Stakes, Ethan Brown took over from injured Mark Zahra for Observer after riding him in the Caulfield Guineas, and he sticks with the Guineas assignment.
The Australian Guineas sees Observer at $2.40 top pick, with Sixties from Chris Waller’s yard, taker of the C S Hayes Stakes (1400m), next at $3.
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