Old Boy, new tricks, special win

It was a case of 14th time lucky when The New Boy broke through for his first win at Caulfield on Saturday, completing a double for trainer Danny O’Brien.

O’Brien, who earlier claimed the opening race on the program with two-year-old filly Merriest, said The New Boy’s victory in the $80,000 Wellington R.C. Handicap (1440m) was a particularly special one for the stable.

“The people who race this horse are just the nicest group of people, they come over from Adelaide nearly every start and unfortunately the managing owner Nick Antic is quite unwell at the moment,” O’Brien said.

“He’s got a brain tumour and he’s probably only around my age and has two children so he’s doing it a bit tough.

“I’m just really pleased for Nick because he’s a lovely person and there will be a lot of people in the stable very happy about this horse winning.”

Given a sweet ride by apprentice jockey Jordan Childs, The New Boy ($14-$11) had 1.25 lengths to spare on the line over Here To There ($17), with Harbour Grey ($5) a further long-neck away in third.

Story by Brad Bishop, to view full Racing.com story click here

Photo by Darryl Sherer