Trainer Danny O’Brien would not mind if potential buyers from Hong Kong came knocking after the maiden win of Cannae at Caulfield Heath.
But the trainer also has potential interstate Derby races in mind for the three-year-old after winning at his second start in the Sportsbet Race Previews Plate (1500m) on Wednesday.
O’Brien parted with $20,000 to purchase the son of Maurice at the Magic Millions Sale in Adelaide as a yearling with the idea of racing the gelding himself.
In partnership with wife Nina, O’Brien said Cannae was a late foal and on the small side when he purchased the now three-year-old.
“I really liked him at the sales, and he was in the last 20 lots and was one of those ones that fell through the cracks, so I thought I’d give this one a crack myself,” O’Brien said.
“I’ll speck some, keep some to trade, and some to race.”
O’Brien said there had been no offers from overseas for Cannae, but after Wednesday’s win, that may change.
“He was never going to be a horse that showed up in 800-metre trials,” O’Brien said.
“He was always going to be one that had to develop into being this type of racehorse.
“There is a decent enough market for these sorts of horses and Hong Kong loves these sorts of horses, three-year-old’s that are still lightly raced with the potential of getting to the Derby.”
Sent out the $2.80 favourite under Damian Lane, Cannae scored a short neck win from Peeaitchdee ($3) with Somethingintheair ($13) a length away third.
Cannae made his debut at Sandown last month, running on from back in the field, and O’Brien said the gelding had made considerable improvement.
“He’s building a foundation to being a pretty decent horse,” O’Brien said.
“He’s been picking up some pretty decent horses in his gallops. He has got that ability to quicken up and hit the line.
“His pedigree says, being by Maurice, he takes that leap at least to 2000 metres, so we’ve got plenty of options for at least the rest of his three-year-old year.
“We entered him last week for the Australian Derby, but that’s probably a bit soon and everything would have to fall into place, but there is also the South Australian Derby and Queensland Derby after that.”
