Derby winner Observer back in style and flags danger for Group 1 rivals over coming weeks with first-up win

Last year’s Victoria Derby winner Observer made a statement at his racetrack return, proving clearly too good for his rivals over the comparatively short 1400m of the Group 2 Autumn Stakes at Caulfield. After clinching both the Moonee Valley Vase (2040m) and 2500m Derby, some pundits thought his nippier rivals would be able to unseat the boom colt and sent him off a drifting $4 elect. But the Ciaron Maher-trained bay surged forward at the start and soon occupied a position outside Davida ($4.20) before easily brushing a length clear of him with 300m to cover. Despite Planet Red ($4.60) making progress from behind, Observer was never in any danger and recorded a strong length-and-a-half win under Ethan Brown, with the rising hoop due to start a short-term licence to ride in Hong Kong from April 26. “He’ll be second-up in the Australian Guineas in three weeks, which is his early grand final and, if we were to be successful, then we could go a few different options,” Maher’s assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said. The Australian Guineas is on February 28 and could lead to future Group 1 targets such as the Randwick Guineas, Rosehill Guineas, Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Australian Derby. Later, Oak Hill ($4.60) contributed a turn of foot to earn victory in the Group 2 Rubiton Stakes (1100m) and earn him a start in the Oakleigh Plate over the same track and distance in two weeks’ time. Poised one-out and one-back, Damian Lane delivered the five-year-old over the final furlong to smother Don’t Hope Do ($10) in the final strides, while Hedged ($2.80f) never saw daylight and went to the line an unlucky third. Popular gelding Tom Kitten commenced his preparation in top fashion by taking the Group 3 Kevin Heffernan Stakes (1400m) despite being near last around the final bend. Taken back by Craig Williams from the widest gate of eight, the $6.2 million earner was delivered down the wide outside to trump the gallant Feroce ($6.50) by a head, depriving Lane of a race-to-race double. Meanwhile, Closer To Free ($14) pressed claims for next fortnight’s Blue Diamond when capturing the 1100m colts and geldings prelude, denying boom colt Guest House by a length. Bouncing brilliantly, Closer To Free sat outside Invicto ($18) with Guest House ($2.25f) breathing down their necks out three wide. Taking over on straightening, Closer To Free fought manfully at his race debut and justified an astute purchase from trainer Danny O’Brien, who bought the horse only nine days earlier after a trial.