O'Brien targets outright Group 1 win in SA Derby with Cannae
Danny O'Brien as trainer will seek to mark off yet another achievement as Cannae competes in the South Australian Derby at Morphettville.
The handler has notched 23 Group 1 successes and has at times been part-owner in a few of those achievers.
To this point though, no horse fully owned by him has triumphed at the top tier, an omission he anticipates Cannae might remedy in Saturday's 2518m Group 1 three-year-old Classic.
"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."
The gelding belongs to O'Brien along with wife Nina and faces his fifth start on Saturday, identical to the tally O'Brien's earlier Derby winner Russian Camelot had in 2020.
Cannae began at Sandown back in January, then took a maiden at Caulfield Heath during February, after which O'Brien signalled his Derby ambitions.
He recorded placings next in the Morphettville Guineas (1600m) and Port Adelaide Guineas (1800m), with O'Brien unfazed by the stiffer test ahead.
"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."
Acquired for $20,000 from the Magic Millions 2024 Adelaide Yearling Sale, Cannae drew international interest post his Caulfield Heath win and latest finishes, according to O'Brien.
"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."
In the latest wagering for the Derby, Cannae is a $26 shot with Accidental Bid, the first emergency awaiting clearance, installed at $2.70 favourite.
Visit the online bookmakers to find the keenest betting markets for the race at Morphettville.
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