O'BRIEN PLOTS 1000 GUINEAS PATH

One runner looked out of place in a star-studded trial at Caulfield on paper but the education could push her to a Thousand Guineas triumph in the spring.

Flemington trainer Danny O’Brien was happy to trial impressive debut winner Aethera against Group 1 winners Mr Brightside, Giga Kick and Tom Kitten as well as exciting import Yellow Jersey before Saturday’s races.

Aethera finished last in the heat but was only three lengths from Yellow Jersey and Mr Brightside in the 1000m hitout.

O’Brien said Aethera would greatly benefit from the experience.

“She’s a filly that has only been to the races once and been super impressive,” O’Brien said.

“It was a good chance for her to have a day out and have a look at Caulfield. She’s never been away from Flemington.

“She’s still learning a lot and it was good for her.

“She was against some tough, older Group 1 horses and she wasn’t out of her depth.”

Bookmakers rated Aethera as an $11 chance in early Thousand Guineas betting.

O’Brien said the daughter of Shamus Award, whom he trained to win the Cox Plate and Australian Guineas, could return to the races against the males at Caulfield on Saturday week.

“She’s hopefully heading towards a Thousand Guineas sort of preparation,” O’Brien said.

“Maybe she’ll run in the McNeil Stakes in a couple of weeks’ time.

“It’s the right day to kick her off, then it’s three weeks to the Thousand Guineas Prelude.”

O’Brien said fighting first-up winner Sass Appeal was on target for her first Group 1 test in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield next month.

The trainer was keen to secure enough ratings points to enable the daughter of So You Think to get into the field for the $m contest.

Sass Appeal’s rating progressed from 90 to 96 after her win over Rise At Dawn at Flemington on August 1.

Sass Appeal is a $6 equal favourite in all-in betting on the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.

Story by Brad Waters for Racenet.  CLICK HERE to view original story.

Pic by Racing Photos