Danny O’Brien resisted the temptation of a recent Group One attempt with Adamantium in the hope it can reap a big race reward later in his preparation.
With Adamantium’s confidence renewed through a last-start victory at Flemington, O’Brien immediately ruled out backing the sprinter up in the Newmarket Handicap a week later.
Instead he pinpointed Saturday’s Listed City Of Greater Dandenong Stakes (1200m) at Sandown as the next suitable race on the way to a potential Group One start in The Goodwood in Adelaide.
Adamantium winning the Bob Hoysted Handicap at Flemington ridden by Craig Williams and trained by Danny O'Brien - (photo by Steven Dowden/Race Horse Photos Australia)
“We’d had that many problems with the horse, we just didn’t want to bring it all undone,” O’Brien said.
“We want to get a few (wins) in a row, hopefully. If he keeps winning he could go to The Goodwood.”
A Group One placegetter in the Futurity Stakes in 2012, Adamantium was impressive in two straight-track sprints at Flemington in the summer of 2012/13 including the Group Three Standish Handicap.
He was unplaced at his next four starts spanning 14 months and underwent a wind operation after last spring.
The five-year-old gelding returned to winning form in a Listed 1000m Flemington sprint on March 1.
Despite his three most recent wins being at Flemington in straight races, O’Brien is confident Sandown will suit the speedy galloper.
“I think Sandown is not a bad track for him, particularly if the rail is all right,” he said.
“You can generally get a good lead on the rail there and keep kicking.
“He’s in good order and it’s a nice race for him. He was back in winning form the other day and in Listed class, he’s well up to that.”
