Danny O’Brien eyes spring with Byerley Handicap contender Politely Dun

The Byerley Handicap on Saturday is the “right race at the right time” for Danny O’Brien’s emerging stayer Politely Dun.

Politely Dun (left) will contest the Byerley Handicap at Flemington on Saturday. Picture: Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Politely Dun has potential to streamline spring aspirations with victory in the Victoria Derby-qualifying Byerley Handicap (1800m) at Flemington on Saturday.

The Danny O’Brien-trained son of Dundeel, out of stakes mare Politeness, is $3 with TAB to claim the classic qualifier behind Stay Silent ($2.70), trained by Leon and Troy Corstens.

Stay Silent and Politely Dun finished third and fifth respectively behind Jenni’s Meadow in the Listed Taj Rossi Series Final (1600m).

• Early Oil: Race-by-race preview for Flemington on Saturday

“He’s a horse that has got three-year-old written all over him,” O’Brien said.

“He gets a really suitable race Saturday at the 1800m.

“He appears to us a nice three-year-old prospect, so it’s the right race at the right time of his career on Saturday.

“He could break through and get his first win and then set himself up for nice staying races as a three-year-old.”

Jenni's Meadow ducks up the inside to claim the Taj Rossi Series Final! 🏆

It's a @lindsayparkrace quinella. 🤝@Brown_ethan8pic.twitter.com/OSOe4AiFEL

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) July 6, 2024

Johnny Get Angry was runner-up in the 2020 Byerley and returned in the spring to famously win the Victoria Derby for AFL premiership coach-turned-Group 1 trainer Denis Pagan.

Sunsource placed in the Listed Super Impose Stakes (1800m) last spring, having won the Byerley three starts earlier.

“It’s hard to judge (strength of the race), usually you got to see these races in 12 months’ time to see what they’re like,” O’Brien said.

“They’re horses that haven’t had many runs, a lot of them are middle distance horses that could go on with it … as decent middle distance three-year-olds.

“We think he (Politely Dun) will be a lot better three-year-old than two-year-old, so whatever he can do now he will be better for it.”

• King Magnus ready for first 2000m test at Flemington

Politely Dun, a $150,000 Gold Coast Magic Millions purchase, placed third at Bendigo last month on a rain-affected track.

Flemington is expected to be in the Heavy 8 range on Saturday.

“Flemington always races well,” O’Brien said.

“It may well be Soft 7 or Heavy 8, but it’s usually a surface most horses can get through.”

O’Brien has four starters at Flemington on Saturday including Lovazou in a 1400m three-year-old race.

Lovazou surged to victory at Caulfield last Saturday under Carleen Hefel.

“We’re happy running her on the back-up, she’s pretty fresh and didn’t have a hard run last Saturday,” O’Brien said.

“She’s a filly that’s lightly raced and got a good win strike rate and handles the soft, so she should be right in the finish.”

Originally published as Danny O’Brien eyes spring with Byerley Handicap contender Politely Dun