AUSTRALIAN CUP ON THE CARDS FOR OBSERVER

RISING star Observer stretched his winning sequence to four with his win in the Australian Guineas as he secured his future at stud with a Group 1 win over 1600m.

His owners, Godolphin, are respected for racing their horses on, and the three-year-old colt is likely to be a fixture on the Australian racing scene for the next couple of years.

Observer won the race in what is becoming his trademark fashion. He raced on the speed, took control and then, if required, he’s capable of fighting off his rivals.

Since his unlucky third in the Caulfield Guineas to Autumn Boy, he won the Moonee Valley Vase, the Victoria Derby, the C.S. Hayes Stakes and the Victoria Derby.

Only one other horse in history has won the last three races, which was King’s High in 1989.

Although Ciaron Maher’s National Assistant trainer, Jack Turnbull, said there were a lot of options for Observer, such as the Rosehill Guineas, the Doncaster Mile and the Australian Cup.

Godolphin’s Australian managing director Andy Maki,v said the Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 28 was foremost in their mind.

He also suggested it would be “a flashier” version of Observer over a distance of 2000m, which suited him even better.

It was another great run by the Mick Price and Michael Kent Junior trained Planet Red to charge home from well back to run second, which matched his effort in the Caulfield Guineas.

Planet Red is likely to be aimed at the Alister Clark Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on March 21.

Interestingly, champion jockey Damien Oliver identified the galloper as a perfect light-weight chance in the Doncaster Mile.

Another Flemington winner being aimed at the Australian Cup is the Vhris Waller-trained Birdman, who won the G2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) when he proved a level above his opposition.

Waller was represented at Flemington by former champion jockey Darren Beadman, who said that although Birdman was seven lengths off the lead, it was an easy watch.

“He arrived in Australia about a year-and-a-half or two years ago with good credentials and a couple of wins, including the Queen’s Vase,” Beadman said.

“The owners were hoping to aim for the Melbourne Cup. He’s been very consistent. It was a great run in the Caulfield Cup last year, so I guess, without speaking to Chris, the Australian Cup will probably be the ideal type of race for him.”

Both Birdman and Observer are $6 equal second favourites for the Australian Cup with Unibet behind the $5 co-favourites Buckaroo, Tom Kitten, Ceolwulf and Pericles.

The day was tinged with a touch of sadness when it was announced that the 26-year-old Makybe Diva, who put together an extraordinary three Melbourne Cup wins from 2003 to 2005.

Fittingly, it was announced on a major raceday at Flemington, which has a statue of the remarkable mare on course.