Track record holder returns for O'Brien

Moonee Valley track record holder Cabeza returns to racing tomorrow at Flemington for Danny O'Brien, in what the trainer hopes will be a big campaign for the son of Zabeel.

Cabeza lines up in the open 1410m handicap on his home track and O'Brien is hoping the classy gelding takes the next step over the spring.

"He showed what he can do when he broke Rangirandoo's 1600m track record at the Valley on New Year's Eve and probably even more pleasing was the way he came out and produced the very next start at Flemington," O'Brien said.

"He has come back in terrific order and he is giving me every indication that he has improved as a lot Zabeel's do with age."

The five-year-old is one of O'Brien's four entries for the Cox Plate, which shows the high regard the trainer has for the horse.

O'Brien will be looking to make a hat-trick of wins with Savaging, who steps out in the restricted 0-89 1700m event tomorrow, while he also saddles up multiple Flemington winner Fashion Black in the 1400m mares' event at the meeting .

Leading Cups fancy and another of O'Brien's Cox Plate entrants, Shamrocker pleased the trainer with a quiet trial at Flemington this morning.

"She has done very well over the winter and we are really looking forward to getting her back out over staying distances as her win in the AJC Derby in the autumn was exceptional," O'Brien said.

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