Lycurgus relishes step up in trip

Star Witness three-year-old Lycurgus bounced back to form emphatically at Kyneton on Monday with a three-length romp over 1850m.

A sharp drop in grade and step up in trip were the catalyst for the effortless performance, which saw the gelding come from well back with a sweeping, withering run to claim the win.

"We have always been confident he would excel out in trip and it was great to see him get the job done as this was the weakest race he has contested in a long while," O'Brien said of the horse that won impressively on debut over 1100m just over a year ago.

"He should garner much confidence from today and hopefully he can now go on with it."

The victory also extended on-loan apprentice jockey Boris Thornton's hot run of form as the 19-year-old made it three wins from five rides for his new boss.

"I am really grateful for the opportunities that Danny is giving me and I hope I can continue the good run and keep repaying his faith," Thornton said.

Pic by Racing Photos