Genetic testing tells trainer Danny O’Brien’s Skiddaw is a superior stayer ahead of Australian Derby
Last year Danny O’Brien aimed Skiddaw at the Victoria Derby but feet issues saw him abort those plans. Now he’s in the Australian Derby next Saturday and the trainer is keen to see him in action.
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Since Danny O’Brien started using genetic testing he has produced some amazing results and that’s why he is approaching next Saturday’s Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick with confidence with Saturday’s Bendigo winner Skiddaw.
“We’ve always known that he should be a superior stayer as that’s what out tests have shown. We planned to run him in last year’s Victoria Derby where we thought he’d be a terrific chance but because of it but he didn’t get there due to a feet issues,” O’Brien said.
“Now we get to see him at the distance in the Australian Derby. Our testing tells us he has the capacity to run the trip as he’s got the right genetic make up to be a Group 1 stayer. He’s stepping up in class obviously but I’m keen to see him in action.”
O’Brien’s use of genetic testing has proven correct in the past with horses like Cox Plate winner Shamus Award and Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare being among his successes.
Brenton Avdulla will ride Skiddaw in the Australian Derby who is a $26 chance with TAB fixed odds.
O’Brien will also start Paradee in the Adrian Knox Stakes on Saturday in her lead-up run before the ATC Oaks.
O’Brien is still weighing up whether to take Miami Bound, who worked with Vow And Declare in between races at Bendigo on Saturday, to Sydney for the same races.
“I wasn’t that happy with her work. She’s not going terribly but maybe it’s that she wants the give in the ground which she should get in Sydney.”
O’Brien was pleased with Vow And Declare’s work and said he would have his next start in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes on Saturday week.
O’Brien said he understood the reasons why Racing NSW cut prizemoney for The Championships by 50 per cent and was just happy to still be racing if that was still the case next weekend.