O’Brien gravitates to Derby

Danny O’Brien is dreaming of AAMI Victoria Derby glory with Gravitational after the emerging stayer registered his maiden win yesterday at Seymour.

The son of Astronomer Royal cracked it for his first win at start No 5 when he turned in a strong on-pace effort under Craig Williams to score a 1-1/2-length win in the $17,500 Seymour Insurance & Financial Services Maiden Plate (1617m)

O’Brien was excited to see him win, not only as it brought up a running double at Seymour, but also because of what might lie ahead.

“It’s still early in the spring, but we’re laying the foundation for him to step up to 2000 (metres) and then hopefully the 2500 in November,” the Flemington trainer said.

“All our testing at home suggests he’s going to run a mile-and-a-half. He’s really outstayed them there today, albeit having a reasonably soft run on the speed, and hopefully it’s the start of some bigger things for him.”

Super Cool won his maiden at Seymour in September last year before going on to run second in the Victoria Derby.

Gravitational’s win followed that of Ravaged Heart in the $17,500 Height Insurance Agencies Maiden Plate (1113m), which was also carried out under Williams.

The daughter of Show a Heart, who like Gravitational is owned by Sean Buckley, got home by three-quarters-of-a-length at her first visit to the races.

The double kicked off what could be a big few days for O’Brien, Buckley and Williams, who will chase feature-race success with Shamus Award at Flemington this Saturday.

The BECK Caulfield Guineas-bound colt, who split Cauthen and Long John at Moonee Valley on 24 August, renews hostilities with that duo in the $120,000 Listed Henry Bucks Best Dressed Stakes (1400m).

By Brad Bishop to view full Racing Victoria story click here

Photo by Slickpix to view Slickpix website click here