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, above, scores an emotional win in the Easter Cup at Caulfield. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
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 |
