Danny O’Brien added another string to his powerful spring artillery when first starter Embolism took out a maiden at Bendigo which the trainer rated equivalent in quality to a Listed race.
“I explained to his owner Sean Buckley in the morning that I’ve got a good opinion of him but he’s effectively starting off in a Listed race,” O’Brien said.
Embolism, who was ridden by Damien Oliver, sat off the speed and came with a well-timed run to defeat Pal D’Oro in Wednesday’s 1400 metre race.
Embolism is by Shamus Award, who O’Brien trained to win a Cox Plate and who is also the sire of his Caulfield Guineas aspirant Flying Award.
O’Brien likened Embolism’s ability to Flying Award’s but said he didn’t enter him for the Guineas as he thought it would be too soon in his career.
“He’s not far off Flying Award in talent. He’s got a really bright future,” O’Brien said.
“There’s races at the back end of spring such as the Carbine Club Stakes, the Sandown Guineas and the Vase which he’ll be aimed at.
“I’ve always had a nice opinion of him. We did a bit with him as a two-year-old but he didn’t race. This campaign he’s had one trial and he’s got good improvement to come.”
Warrnambool trainer Lindsey Smith has a big opinion of Tydeus, who made it two wins from two starts when successful in the benchmark 64 handicap over 1100 metres.
He said the son of Written Tycoon had the makings of a super colt after his easy victory.
“He’ll step up to better races and he’ll go to Caulfield for his next start,” Smith said.
“He’s a beautiful horse to deal with. Let’s hope he can make it to the top.”
In the following race, another son of Written Tycoon, Ocular, had little trouble winning his benchmark 70 assignment by four lengths.
His trainer Shea Eden branded him as potentially the best galloper he has trained and was happy connections had turned down a big offer from Hong Kong buyers.
Eden said he thought Ocular would be suited by the 1200m straight races at Flemington and he planned to aim him at stakes races at the track.
