O'BRIEN RAPT WITH CALENDAR CHANGES

Leading trainer Danny O’Brien has joined the chorus of approval for the recently announced changes to the 2023 Festival Of Racing carnival.

“I thought they were terrific. It’s always been a waste not to use March more as it’s such a great month as it has the best weather,” O’Brien said.

“Those races are well positioned and are perfectly set-up for horses. They have been well-received and it will make the autumn carnival better than what it already is.

“It makes the pathways for Victoria horses easier. You can run in these big races and still run in a grand final race at Randwick at the Championships.”

O’Brien cited the Alister Clark Stakes at Moonee Valley for three-year-olds as an ideal example of a lead in race for the Sydney Championships.

“The last couple of years the Alister Clark Stakes has proven to be a great lead-up race for Sydney and now it’s positioned on the All-Star Mile program it should be again,” the 23-time Group 1 winning trainer said.

The 2023 All-Star Mile will be held at The Valley on March 18 and the Australian Derby will be run at Randwick a fortnight later.

Last year O’Brien’s then three-year-old filly El Patroness contested the Alister Clark Stakes before she won the ATC Oaks, and the year before Ciaron Maher and Dave Eustace’s Explosive Jack won the race before he won the Australian Derby.

“The Australian Cup at the end of March is now in a perfect spot and even a race like the Roy Higgins is going to be two weeks before the Sydney Cup which is ideal,” O’Brien said.

He is also hoping the stalwart of his team Vow And Declare will be in a position to take advantage of that change to the Roy Higgins Quality, which will be run on the Australian Cup day on March 25.

The race is now over 2800m, carries prizemoney of $500,000 and provides a golden ticket into the 2023 Melbourne Cup for the winner.

O’Brien said Vow And Declare could be in Sydney for the Tancred Stakes at Rosehill on the same day, but, otherwise, the Roy Higgins Quality would fit perfectly into his campaign which is likely to kick off in the Peter Young Stakes (1800m) at Sandown on February 25.

O’Brien said Vow And Declare was suited by finally getting a dry surface when he won the Zipping Classic at Caulfield at his last start.

“It was a popular win; everyone is fond of a past Melbourne Cup winner,” O’Brien said. “He had raced very well all spring. In the Zipping he had the right set-up.”

O’Brien said Vow And Declare would return to work on Monday.

Story by Michael Manley for Racing.com

Pic by Racing Photos