LANE DISOBEYS O'BRIEN BUT SKIDDAW WINS

Damian Lane disobeyed instructions from trainer Danny O'Brien aboard Skiddaw but avoided a tongue lashing when the heavily backed three-year-old succeeded at Bendigo on Saturday.

Skiddaw ($5) jumped from barrier 10 of 12 and was backed into second favourite behind Group 2 winner Adelaide Ace ($3.30 favourite) in the $135,000 URMG Security 3YO Handicap (2200m).

"I was thinking (during the race) that I'd get Damian Lane and drive him to the airport to make sure he got to Japan," O'Brien quipped post-race.

"I don't usually get to angry with riders, but before the race I said that I think we should go back to last rather than getting caught deep.

"He said 'No, I'll get cover' and he didn't."

Skiddaw, wearing blinkers first time, sustained his three-wide run under a relieved Lane and found enough in reserve to score by a long neck from fast-finishing stablemate Coin Collector ($17)"It didn't pan out early, we had to cover extra ground in the run and he didn't switch off great without cover," Lane said.

"He just travelled into it too well.

"He had the leader (Adelaide Ace) keeping going, giving him something to chase, if it was a bit longer, he might've been a bit more dominant.

"He felt the pinch late and without horses around him that are more competitive, he was just found wanting a little bit late."

Provided Skiddaw recovers from his Bendigo efforts, the son of Hinchinbrook will contest next Saturday's $2 million Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick.

Coin Collector will remain in Victoria with the $150,000 Listed Galilee Series Final (2400m) at Caulfield on April 11 and $200,000 Listed VRC St Leger (2800m) at Flemington on April 25 on his agenda.

O'Brien has trained four Melbourne winners from his past eight starters, taking his season tally to 28 and moving him into outright third behind the training combinations of David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig (44 wins), and Ciaron Maher and David Eustace (43 wins).

RACING.COM CARL DI LORIO