Just 20 minutes after trainer Ciaron Maher won the G1 ATC Surround Stakes (1400m) with Tempted, he added the G1 VRC Australian Guineas (1600m) with 3yo Ghaiyyath (IRE) colt Observer in what was surely a brilliant 20 minutes for breeder/owners Godolphin.
Securing his fourth straight black type victory, Observer was away well from gate six in the field of ten, with jockey Ethan Brown taking the colt forward to settle in third with the Ben, Will and JD Hayes trained Romantic Encounter (NZ) taking up the running as Chris Waller’s last start G3 CS Hayes Stakes winner Sixties settled in second.
With the leading trio maintaining their positions, they headed into the home straight in the same order with Damian Lane coming to the outside of Romantic Encounter to make his challenge while Brown waited for a gap on the rail.
With the 400m mark reached, the leader rolled off the fence and presented Observer with a clear run, and while Sixties went with him for a while, it was clear that the Godolphin colt was the superior runner, pulling away to record his second G1 victory from his last three starts.
Charging home from the tail of the field to finish second, as he had done the start prior in the G2 Autumn Stakes, the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr trained Planet Red (Admire Mars) has now finished second in both the Caulfield Guineas and now Australian Guineas.
Holding on for third was Sixties, just ahead of Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman’s Ghaiyyath gelding Victorious Spirit.
Maher's National Assistant Trainer Jack Turnbull was on course to discuss the victory of the star colt.
“Initially I was happy to have cover and travel up ever so sweetly behind which was nice to see,” said Turnbull. “It's a representation of how this horse has matured and developed this preparation.”
"You hold you breath for a stride or two as they straighten and that bell rings, but for a horse to go up inside and travel up so effortlessly because you know he has the stamina, he's a classy animal and it was a good watch."
Having won this race, as well as the Derby a few years back with Hitotsu, the comparison were sure to come.
“He's probably the closest thing we've liken likened to Hitotsu in terms of his racing style,” said Turnbull. “He's probably not as dynamic, but his ability to be winning a Derby and coming back to be a Group 1 mile Guineas winner at his next preparation is hard to do. You never often see it. It's a credit to the horse, and to Godolphin as an organisation.”
As for where the colt will head next…that’s the question that is still to be answered.
“It's the million dollar question. You've got the Australian Cup, Rosehill Guineas, Doncaster, if you waited a little bit longer.
“Winning this race really allows us to pivot and target races against the older horses if Godolphin desires. We're in a lovely position and we can savour the moment and really enjoy the win.”
Considering he almost died in a race fall three years ago in this very race, it was a se”
“Unreal. I was just say thank you to the owners, Andy (Makiv) and the Godolphin team. Ciaron Maher for his support and the horse.”
“He found again today second-up at a mile and I'm pinching myself.
“Down to the fence wasn't ideal for him especially as short as he was. I'm sure the punters were thinking 'what's going on here'.
“The main thing with him is getting him to relax and settle. That meant having to go down to the fence and riding a cool, patient race on him. From there on in, the track is fair, we stuck to the fence and he did the rest.
“He's a superstar.
“Mark (Zahra) has done a lot of work on this horse and it is unfortunate that he is out injured but he will be back bigger and better than ever. He's a beauty, this horse.”
With five wins and three placed efforts from nine starts, Observer took his earnings to $2,606,850.
Bred by Godolphin, Observer is one of three winners from three to the races for Lonhro mare Smooth, herself a sister to Coolmore’s Pierro and to the dam of Estriella, who was purchased by Coolmore’s Tom Magnier for $2.8m at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale.
A half-sister to G3 winner Sandpaper (Snitzel), Observer is the third foal out of Smooth with the current 2yo being a colt by Champion Anamoe (Street Boss), while the mare foaled a colt in November by G1 Newmarket Handicap winner Cylinder (Exceed And Excel).
Observer is one of nine stakes winners Darley’s Dubawi stallion Ghaiyyath, who currently sits in third position on the Leading Australia 3YO Sires table behind fellow Darley stallion Street Boss, with Yarraman Park’s I Am Invincible splitting the pair.
Ghaiyyath will be represented by 17 lots at the Inglis Premier yearling sale which commences on Sunday, March 1 at Oaklands including Stonehouse Thoroughbreds Lot 19, a half-brother to G1 VRC Derby winner Extra Brut.
