Observer one to keep a watch on

Image: Bruno Cannatelli

Observer has raced to an easy win in a maiden at Sandown justifying his short quote

James Cummings may need to convince Godolphin Observer will need to follow him when he breaks out on his own at season’s end after the colt’s impressive win at Sandown.

Godolphin and Cummings will go their separate ways when the current racing season ends on July 31, although it is expected Cummings will continue to train a number of their stock.

Observer looked well above average when he dispatched a field of maiden two-year-olds in taking out the Tile Importer Handicap (1400m) at Sandown on Wednesday.

Sent out the betting sites $1.50 favourite under Mark Zahra, Observer registered a five-length win from another Godolphin galloper Wentworth Falls ($3.10), prepared by Anthony and Sam Freedman, with Sky Deel ($17) a further 2-¾ lengths away third.

Godolphin assistant trainer Nacim Dilmi, who runs the Melbourne team at Flemington for Cummings, said he was nervous before Wednesday’s race.

“I don’t get nervous very often, but when they are $1.50 you hope they run like a $1.50 chance,” Dilmi said.

Dilmi had little reason for concern as Observer controlled the race from the outset and had the race won 200m out before being allowed to cruise home under Zahra.

“On what he’s shown at home, that’s pretty much what he’s like,” Dilmi said.

“We don’t have any partners that can keep up with him. He does things very easy.

“It’s good for the stallion (Ghaiyyath, a multiple Group 1 winner in Europe) to have his second winner in about 10 days, so it’s very promising.”

Dilmi said Observer, for a two-year-old colt, was very relaxed, and very professional.

“At home he’s like a five-year-old gelding,” Dilmi said.

“He does things so easy. He’s very kind and it’s good to have a horse like that in the yard.

“We’ll see how he pulls up before deciding what we do, but we’ll speak to the team whether we send him out for a few weeks and bring him back for the spring.

“I’ll let James, and the guys decide, but I would think 1400 metres would be a suitable distance for now, but I’m looking forward to what he’s got next, because that was certainly an easy watch.”