DERBY CLAIMS FOR SERIOUS LIAISON

In-form trainer Danny O'Brien is hoping to emerge from the Caulfield Cup Carnival with two classic contenders at Flemington next month following the victory of Zoffany colt Serious Liaison at Caulfield on Wednesday.

Secret Liaison ($4.70) nosed out Oscar Bay on the line in the 1600-metre race to score his first city win and set himself up for a shot at the $2 million Victoria Derby via Saturday's week's Vase (2040m) at The Valley.

"He's a promising young horse and I think he'll be better suited at 2000 metres and maybe further," O'Brien said.

"Today is the first time he actually got out in a race. His first three races, he never found room but Damien (Oliver) took that out of the equation today.

"He said 'I'm going back and going to have a big long run at them' and he set him a little bit of a task and he got a little bit lost out there (middle of the track) - he looked like he was going to win a little more easier than he did but he's learning and he's a nice horse."

On Saturday, O'Brien is hoping two of his fillies can win their way to the Kennedy Oaks when Miami Bound is the sole filly to tackle eight colts and geldings in the $350,000 Ladbrokes Classic (2000m) and in the 2000-metre Ethereal Stakes he runs Zoustar filly Atame.

As for Secret Liaison, O'Brien said he was still uncertain whether he can run the 2500m of the Derby.

"We're certainly contemplating backing him up into the Vase in 10 days' time," he said.

"This race we've used before to get horses from here to the Derby and the Vase. I think Efficient did it (2007) so it's not the worst way to get to a Derby.

"The Vase is always a good (Derby) indicator so we'll take him to Moonee Valley and that will give us an idea."

BetEasy set Secret Liaison at $17 for the Victoria Derby after the victory, with Miami Bound considered an $11 chance to win the Oaks.

Story by Andrew Eddy for Racing.com

Pic by Racing Photos