Group 1 winner returns for O’Brien
Group 1 winner Douro Valley returns to racing on Saturday at Caulfield for trainer Danny O’Brien.
Douro Valley will carry 61kgs in the 1400m listed Anniversary Vase handicap in a field which includes his Sandown Classic nemesis, Zipping, who will be topweight with 62kgs.
O’Brien said the eight-year-old, who won the Yalumba Stakes (pictured) and was a close second in the Sandown Classic before taking on some of the world’s best in the Hong Kong Vase last preparation, had returned in terrific shape.
“He raced in terrific form during the spring and he has come back in excellent order after returning from Hong Kong,” O’Brien said.
“Saturday may be a touch too short for him first-up, but we expect him to be doing his best work late and showing us he is on track for another top-level campaign.”
The Flemington trainer said Sydney and Queensland were on the agenda for the Caulfield Cup placegetter this preparation.
“We have races like the Queen Elizabeth and Doomben Cup in mind so we are looking forward to kicking him off on Saturday.”
Comeback jockey Jamie Mott will partner Douro Valley in Saturday’s race.
Photo by Bruno Cannatelli, to view Bruno's website click here
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