HIT AND RUN SA MISSION SUCCESSFUL

Victorian trainer Danny O'Brien scored an early metro win in Adelaide on Saturday, when interstate raider Somerset Maugham proved too strong for his rivals in the opening race at Morphettville.

Sent out a $2 favourite in the 1600m BM72 event, the son of Galileo was positioned outside the leader by jockey Todd Pannell before proving holding off his rivals in the run to the line.

The win was the second on the trot for the Northern Hemipshere five-year-old and O'Brien is confident he can continue progressing through his grades.

"This is his first prep with us, but he is as honest as they come and we will keep raising the bar with him. His confidence is high and hopefully we can find the right race for him to make three on end," O'Brien said.

"He has a nice future and I think he will only continue to improve, which is what a lot of the Europeans can do as they get older and more mature."

Pic by Atkins Photography