Observer played a key role in an unforgettable first day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival for Godolphin, Ciaron Maher and Mark Zahra with a dominant win in Saturday’s $2 million Victoria Derby.
The son of Ghaiyyath gave Godolphin the two three-year-old Group 1 features when he backed up the Coolmore Stud Stakes success of the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Street Boss colt Tentyris.
It was the fourth win in a row for Zahra, who was also aboard Getta Good Feeling in the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes and the Maher-trained Warnie in the Group 2 The Damien Oliver.
Not content with dominating at Flemington, Maher also won the $3 million Russell Balding Stakes (1300m) at Randwick with stable favourite Jimmysstar.
Later, Maher made it a Group 1 double when Pride Of Jenni won the Empire Rose Stakes for a second time.
Maher was thrilled to see Observer land a Group 1 after his dominant win in the previous Saturday’s Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase, which followed a luckless run in the Caulfield Guineas.
“I think the sky’s the limit for this colt, he’s just so adaptable,” Maher said.
“He was unlucky in a Guineas, he’s won a Vase and now he’s won a Derby and he’s pretty similar to his old man.
“I’m rapt with our team. Mark (Zahra) is a great mate, he’s riding on a real crest of a wave and there’s nothing better than to win the Derby on Derby Day. It’s what it’s all about.”
Zahra made full use of barrier four to take Observer straight to the front and lead all of the way.
The $2.45 favourite held a three-quarters-of-a-length margin over $61 outsider Arcora at the line with another roughie, Deal Done Fast ($31), the same margin away third.
“I ummed and ahhed whether to lead, but speaking to Ciaron he gave me great confidence,” Zahra said.
“I heard him say, ‘he’ll run it, so if you want to lead, just do it’. He never switches right off, he’s always on the bridle, but he’s tough.
“He’s just like his old man and late, when they got to him, he found again.
“It’s great riding for the best trainers. They do their job, I do my job and what a great day.”
It was a first Victoria Derby success for Zahra and second for Maher, who won the 2021 edition with Hitotsu.
