Odyssey Moon stamped himself as a particularly exciting prospect for Rod Northam through the recent Autumn Carnival, and the Scone-based trainer has revealed he will set the rising three-year-old for the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) this time in.
Odyssey Moon will target the 2015 Caulfield Guineas upon resuming this time. Photo: Steve Hart
Odyssey Moon announced his racing arrival from his first competitive appearance in early December; mustering an impressive turn of foot to take out the $250,000 Inglis Nursery (1000m) by half a length.
Continuing to impress in running second in the Group 2 Skyline Stakes (1200m) and third in the Group 2 Pago Pago Stakes (1200m), the Snitzel colt boxed on for a credible eighth in the major Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) before producing arguably his most impressive to date when second to Pride Of Dubai in the Group 1 ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) on Day 1 of The Championships.
Returning to the paddock after placing sixth in the Group 1 Champagne Classic (1600m), Northam has been thrilled with the way Odyssey Moon has taken to his time in the paddock and revealed he will trial in Sydney before contesting his entire 2015 Caulfield Guineas campaign in Melbourne.
“I am really happy with his progress,” Northam said.
“He had a nice little spell and he has been back in the stable with me now for five weeks.
“He has progressed really nicely. He has definitely developed and filled out a little bit.
“He is going to go straight to Melbourne,” Northam said.
“He will probably trial at the end of next week at Randwick and then he will have another trial about ten days later and then head to Melbourne for the McKenzie at Melbourne.
“I think that he is definitely a miler and I think that he would get 2000 metres, but whether he would get a Derby trip I am not sure. We will gauge as we go.
“The Caulfield Guineas will be his main aim and we will be looking to run in that fourth run in.
“I think that it is quite even and if you look at the finish of the Golden Slipper, I think that we got beaten only 2.8 lengths and finished eighth.
“Depending on how a few of them come back as three-year-olds, I think that luck in running could play a part in a few of the races.”
Ladbrokes.com.au is currently offering the best early 2015 Caulfield Guineas odds, for which Vancouver remains outright $4 favourite ahead of Pride Of Dubai ($6).
