O'Brien keeps Watch on Spring targets


Trainer Danny O’Brien has high hopes for three-year-old filly Watchmespin who has backed up a maiden win at Seymour with a city win at Caulfield.

Having her third career start in Saturday’s Benchmark 70 (1400m), Watchmespin settled at the tail of the seven-horse field before weaving between runners at the top of the straight and then racing to a three-quarters of a length win.

Watchmespin ($19) defeated favourite Judy In Disguise ($3.30) with another head to Hard Faith ($18) third.

“She’s a beautiful style of filly and we’ve always had a really big opinion of her,” O’Brien said.

“We were just waiting until she turned three and we’re really looking forward to getting her out over probably a mile and further.”

Watchmespin was unplaced on debut at Flemington last month before her wins at Seymour over 1300m and now Caulfield.

O’Brien believes she has the potential to compete in some of the better fillies races as the distances increase.

“On all of the stuff we see at home she’ll step out to 2000 metres and possibly a mile and a half when she gets a bit more seasoned,” O’Brien said.

Whether the VRC Oaks (2500m) figures in her spring campaign is yet to be seen and O’Brien said Watchmespin’s next start would likely be in a 1600m race for fillies at Caulfield in three weeks.

The Edward Manifold Stakes, Thousand Guineas (1600m) and Wakeful Stakes (2000m) are among other spring options.

“It’s early days but she’s certainly got that sort of potential,” O’Brien said.

Story by AAP

Pic by Racing Photos

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