The John Sadler trained Observational scores an emotional win in the Group 3 $150,000 Le Pine Funerals Easter Cup (2000m) at Caulfield today.

Observational was ridden a treat by Saddler’s son Tom who has had a history of weight problems but worked hard to get down to 55kg today to deliver a well-deserved win for the team.

Tom Sadler had to forego the ride on Observational at his previous start when he had only 54kg on his back when Craig Newitt rode him to victory in the Listed $150,000 Golden Mile (1600m) at Bendigo on April 1.

“I am a little bit emotional,” John Saddler said.

“The hard work has paid off for him (Tom).”

“I think three or four years ago he couldn’t ride 55kg. He has really put his head down and bottom up and worked terribly hard and it was only a matter of this happening.”

“It is a really great thrill.”

The pre-race plan was to ride Observational a bit closer than normal because of the way the track was playing, but the six year old gelding couldn’t go with the early speed and Tom Saddler had to settle him worse than midfield, three wide.

At the 800m Saddler decided to make a move and had Observational ($9) in an attacking position wide on the track on the home turn and he proved too strong in the straight to record a one and a quarter lengths win over Second Bullet ($8.50) with $101 shot Double Bluff making up ground out wide for third.

In a wide betting race Goldstream and Grey Lion were sent out as the equal $6.50 favourites, but both finished well back in the pack.

Goldstream raced in the first four but faded in the straight to finish tenth while Grey Lion never threatened and wound up a well beaten fifteenth.

Saddler said that he hasn’t worked out a definite ongoing campaign for Observational, but the Listed $200,000 Warrnambool Cup (2350m) at Warrnambool on May 4 could be on the agenda.

“I would love to win a Warrnambool Cup, but I don’t if he could run a mile and half. He is racing extra well and Queensland would also be an option.”

“We will work it out over the next four of five days.”

2017 Easter Cup Results

Finish	No.	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Margin	Bar.	Weight	Starting Price
1	7	OBSERVATIONAL (GB)	John Sadler	Thomas Sadler	–	9	55kg	$9
2	12	SECOND BULLET	Danny O’Brien	Ms Katelyn Mallyon	1.25L	7	54kg	$8.50
3	14	DOUBLE BLUFF (IRE)	Robbie Laing	Ms Jessica Payne	2.75L	14	54kg	$101
4	11	HIGH CHURCH (IRE)	Darren Weir	Jye McNeil	3.15L	16	54kg	$15
5	8	DARK EYES	Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott	Stephen Baster	4.9L	13	54.5kg	$11
6	17e	WAR LEGEND (NZ)	Michael Moroney	Patrick Moloney	5L	6	54kg	$8
7	3	EXTRA ZERO	David & B Hayes & T Dabernig	Luke Nolen	5.2L	5	56.5kg	$21
8	5	JACQUINOT BAY	David & B Hayes & T Dabernig	Michael Dee	5.3L	15	55.5kg	$13
9	10	GOLDSTREAM (ITY)	Darren Weir	Ben Allen (a)	6.05L	11	54kg	$6.50EF
10	13	TARQUIN	John O’Shea	Beau Mertens (a)	6.55L	4	54kg	$11
11	16	O’LONERA	Cindy Alderson	Ben E Thompson (a)	7.05L	3	54kg	$31
12	2	PORNICHET (FR)	Ciaron Maher	Brad Rawiller	7.25L	1	59kg	$31
13	18e	TRANSFER ALLOWANCE	Peter Roche	Chris Symons	8.5L	2	54kg	$101
14	1	LEEBAZ (NZ)	Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes	Dwayne Dunn	10L	8	59kg	$21
15	4	GREY LION (IRE)	Matt Cumani	Craig Newitt	11.5L	12	56.5kg	$6.50EF
16	9	PURPLE SMILE	David & B Hayes & T Dabernig	Jake Noonan	16L	10	54.5kg	$101