Jon O’Connor-trained San Lucido eyes two straight as Murray Bridge races brought forward due to hot weather

Jon O’Connor wasn’t sure if San Lucido would run out a strong mile, but the trainer got his answer when the gelding showed grit and determination to fight back and win at Morphettville last Saturday.

San Lucido, ridden by Alan Lai, wins at Morphettville last Saturday. Picture: Makoto Kaneko

Trainer Jon O’Connor wasn’t sure if San Lucido would run out a strong mile, but he got his answer when the gelding showed plenty of grit to fight back and win at Morphettville last Saturday.

Leading the field throughout, San Lucido was headed at the 200m by Starts Now and Suggestive Miss but fought back valiantly to win a 0-64 Handicap over 1600m.

It was an impressive display by the son of I Am Invincible, and a win that has now opened up more options for O’Connor going forward.

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“You don’t really know when it’s his first go at the mile, he was asked the question halfway up the straight when he was headed but he certainly ran it out strongly,” O’Connor said.

“It’s a pretty big deal, because if he couldn’t get the mile it just restricts your options race-wise.

“The fact he can get a nice 1600m, it just opens a lot of doors when you’re looking for races for them. It was a good box to tick for him.”

Heading into this Saturday’s Benchmark 76 (1600m) at Murray Bridge on a seven-day back up, O’Connor judged it as a race too suitable to pass up. Apprentice jockey Alan Lai, who has won two races from four starts on San Lucido, is set to again ride.

San Lucido kicks back after being headed for a courageous victory 🏆 pic.twitter.com/8bquVuf1su

— Racing.com (@Racing) December 28, 2024

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“I don’t back up horses that often, sometimes the right races come on the right day,” he said.

“Next week’s race at Murray Bridge that we looked at might be a bit strong, whereas tomorrow’s race isn’t any harder than the race he won last week and he gets a good weight drop – it’s pretty hard not to run.

“Some horses and riders just click for some undefinable reason, he’s (Alan) got a good association with him and a good record on him.”

A change in racing pattern this preparation has also been beneficial, with San Lucido settling further forward than in previous starts.

“He used to get way back in his races and take all day to warm up and run home when it was all over, for some reason this prep he’s started to bounce a bit better, I never thought I would see him lead in a race the way he used to race,” he said.

“He found himself in front the other day and he fought hard when he was headed, he’s certainly come on in leaps and bounds these last few runs.”

Prancethrulife & Taylor Johnstone get busy late to win at $20 💸

The 3YO out of Jon O'Connor's stable nabs a win on debut 👏@OConnorRacing1pic.twitter.com/nzQCG0LZPZ

— Racing.com (@Racing) November 27, 2024

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O’Connor has two runners on Saturday’s nine-race card, with first-start winner Prancethrulife also accepted, but O’Connor may instead opt to run the three-year-old gelding at next Wednesday’s Oakbank meeting.

“He’s just got gradually better and better – I thought his trials were okay without being enough to get excited, just with natural improvement he put it all together on race day and he won pretty well his first start,” he said.

“He probably surprised us a little bit, sometimes they get there on the first day and just nail it, he might have a bit of a future.”

With a maximum of 40 degrees predicted in Murray Bridge on Saturday, races have been brought forward to avoid peak temperatures in the afternoon, with the card kicking off at 8:58pm (ACDT) and 30 minute intervals between races.

HEAT MONITORING ☀️ RACE TIMES UPDATED
The Murray Bridge meeting tomorrow (4/1) will commence earlier to avoid the peak temperatures forecast in the afternoon. pic.twitter.com/xtEynkqW75

— Racing SA (@RacingSA) January 2, 2025

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“Horses are like people, some handle it (heat) better than others, you don’t really know until you get there how they are going to handle it,” O’Connor said.

“You’ve just got to keep the horses as comfortable as possible and hope the weather doesn’t get too out of hand.”

San Lucido is a $2.45 favourite with Sportsbet fixed odds on Saturday.

Originally published as Jon O’Connor-trained San Lucido eyes two straight as Murray Bridge races brought forward due to hot weather