Cambiaso stars in Maribyrnong Trial

Trainer Danny O’Brien won his first Blue Diamond Stakes in 2010 with Star Witness, however his second success in Victoria’s premier juvenile race could come next year based on Cambiaso's determined win in yesterday’s $100,000 Listed Maribyrnong Trial Stakes (1000m) at Flemington.

Once again the event was the first two-year-old race of the season in Victoria and attracted several impressive precocious types.

Confidence was high in the Danny O’Brien stable prior to the race and their faith was rewarded. The son of More Than Ready settled in third position just off the pace, giving the leaders Lil Red Corvette and Imprimis just over a length.

That leading trio fought out the finish with Cambiaso getting the upper hand over the concluding stages to win by a half length ahead of Imprimis with Lil Red Corvette a further 1-1/4 lengths away in third.

“He showed us a fair bit at home, obviously we opened him up early and had to back off him and just let him tick over for this sort of race,” winning jockey Dwayne Dunn said.

“When we joined the course proper, he started to extend a bit.

“There wasn't a lot of acceleration from any of them and I always knew it was going to be pretty hard for the backmarkers to get over the top of us,” he added.

Cambiaso, who is named after champion Argentine polo player Adolfo Cambiaso and not Inter Milan midfielder Esteban Cambiasso, will now be spelled ahead of an autumn campaign.

“He's a horse that we'd probably prefer to give him a break and wait and hopefully get him ready for the (Blue) Diamond, and then possibly Sydney,” O’Brien said.

Cambiaso was purchased for $300,000 from the 2011 Magic Millions Yearling Sale. He is the first foal of Flying Spur mare Flying Alpha who was a listed-winning mare.

Story by Carl Di Iorio, to view full Virtual Form Guide story click here

Photo by Bruno Cannatelli, to view Bruno's photos at Ultimate Racing Photos click here