O'Brien celebrates successful return to the Boo

Trainer Danny O'Brien is celebrating a successful return to the TAB Warrnambool May Racing Carnival half a world away.

The Flemington-based O'Brien, who also has beach stables at Barwon Heads, won a three-year-old benchmark 70 handicap with Tower Road on day two.

His assistant Ben Gleeson jumped for joy in the mounting yard as Tower Head, with Ben Allen in the saddle, edged home in the 1400m race

Gleeson, 24, said O'Brien was rapt with the result after a long absence from the carnival.  "He's in Europe so he watched it and just sent me a message saying 'well done'," he said.  "Danny hasn't brought a horse here for quite a long time, nearly on 10 years.  "This is my first time here as well and it's an amazing race day.

"I've been to a lot of jumps races in England and it's got a vibe like that, it's a great buzz and we're absolutely rapt to get a win here."  Gleeson is hoping he has more good news for O'Brien on Thursday.  

"We have one runner tomorrow called Royal Ace which is an ex-Darren Weir horse," he said.  "He's going very well and he won here the last two years, so hopefully we can make it three years in a row."

Gleeson has been involved in horse racing his entire life and has worked for O'Brien for eight months after a stint working overseas.  "He's an amazing boss, it's a stable on the rise and it's a great place to be," he said.

Story by Justine McCullagh-Beasy for Warrnambool Standard

Pic by Racing Photos