Trainer Danny O’Brien will be looking to tick off another box when Cannae runs in the South Australian Derby at Morphettville.
O’Brien has 23 Group 1 winners to his credit and has, on occasions, been a shareholder in the ownership of some of those wins.
But to date he has not owned a horse outright that has been successful at the highest level, something he hopes Cannae may do in the 2518m Group 1 Classic for three-year-olds on Saturday.
“I’ve had shares in horses like Star Witness, Miami Bound that won Group 1 races,” O’Brien said.
“But I’ve not won a Group 1 as an owner on my own, and it’s a box I’d like to tick.”
Cannae is owned by O’Brien and wife Nina and will be having his fifth race start on Saturday, the same start number as O’Brien’s previous Derby winner Russian Camelot was having in 2020.
The gelding commenced his career at Sandown in January before winning a Caulfield Heath maiden in February after which O’Brien made his Derby intentions known.
Placings followed in the Morphettville Guineas (1600m) and the Port Adelaide Guineas (1800m) while O’Brien is unconcerned with the rise in trip.
“He’s done a good job. He’s only run four times, and he’s built nicely towards this,” O’Brien said.
“We always thought he would stay and we think he’s had a nice preparation to get to the 2500 (metres).
“He was off a five-week break last start and he’s definitely better for it and you never know with the trip, but he’s by Maurice and he gives us all the indications he will stay.
“We’ve taken our time with him to make sure he got there and he’ll get his chance and I’m looking forward to seeing him in the Derby.”
Cannae was purchased for $20,000 at the Magic Millions 2024 Adelaide Yearling Sale and O’Brien said international offers had come for the gelding following his win at Caulfield Heath and his past two placings.
“Like a lot of those offers, they come and they go and don’t come through,” O’Brien said.
“He’s always for sale and sometimes you’re happy they fall over, so he runs for me in the Derby.”
Cannae is a $26 chance in latest Derby betting with first emergency Accidental Bid, still to officially gain a start, the $2.70 favourite.
