GOING ROGUE AT TATURA

Trainer Danny O'Brien was happy to travel far and wide for an easy kill with Rogue Warrior on Monday. 

The son of Prague was dropping back into a BM56 event after racing competitively in city grade at Sandown and Morphettville at his past three starts.

O'Brien's Racing Manager Jack Howard said the trip was about building some confidence in the four-year-old, who was sent out a $2.30 favourite despite carrying 62kg in the 1600m event. 

"We were expecting that if he turned up and produced what he has been in town and that we would get the win, so it's pleasing the plan came off," Howard said post race to Racing.com. 

"He should gain plenty of confidence from today and now we can head back up in grade and hopefully make it two wins on the trot."

There was plenty of speed early in the race and jockey Billy Egan was able to travel midfield with cover in running before some mid-race moves injected further pace into the race on the soft track.

"They got going early which forced our hand a little bit,  but we got going and then when they stopped we surged to the lead but he is not used to that so he waited for them a little bit," Egan said.

"He ran out the mile strongly, and if he was able to have the stalking role at his start and not be left in front so early, I am confident he can run well again." 

O'Brien saddled up the quinella in the event as top weight Crown Of Russia surged home from last to close to within a long neck of the winner.

"The other horse was excellent after coming from back in the field. He should improve greatly from that first-up run and also when he gets out in trip," Howard said of the grey son of Russian Camelot, who won his maiden on September 7 last year at Bendigo.

Pics by Racing Photos