New trainer Nick Olive says the former Lloyd Williams-owned Devon is a horse going places.
The son of Galileo, purchased for $12,000 at a Magic Millions tried stock sale, lines up at Albury on Thursday in the Wilson Transformer Benchmark 60 Hcp (1600m).
Part-owned by Neville Hambrook, also involved in the syndicate that races multiple country Cups winner Voice Commander, Devon backs up after winning a Canberra 1400m maiden on October 14 at his third run for Canberra-based Olive.
“He’s a bloody nice horse, a cracking type,” Olive said.
“He’s big and strong, eats everything in sight.
“I really like the horse. He’s got a good future.”
Four-year-old Devon, out of the Fasliyev mare Danilova, an Albury maiden winner from eight starts, has continued to improve since winning at Canberra, Olive said.
“He’s done really good, definitely gone forward,” he said.
“The 1600 metres should suit but he’s probably looking for 2000 metres even now.
“He’s a great doer, hasn’t left a grain.
“He’s had plenty of long, solid work, Devon loves it. He’s thriving.
“When he first came to us he was in good order, it just took a while to get him fit.
“He works nice, got a decent stride, but I don’t overtax him on the track.
“I know he’s only just won his maiden but I think he’s capable of winning in Sydney.
“He’s a horse with a future.”
Devon was given two preparatory runs by Olive at Queanbeyan (900m) and Kembla Grange (1200m) to get some racing mileage into his legs.
It was the Kembla run on September 27 that indicated Devon had his hoof right on the till.
The gelding, after racing three wide, fought on strongly to finish third to Battles and Millenium Ruler, beaten a nose and a long neck.
His Canberra win, albeit narrowly, again showed Devon’s tenacity.
“Really the horse is just starting to learn how to race,” Olive said.
“He’s going to be an even nicer horse next preparation.
“Even though he’s up sharply in grade, I expect him to run very well tomorrow.”
AAP TURF
