O'BRIEN VOWS TO BE BACK FOR AUS CUP

Trainer Danny O'Brien is aiming at having Vow And Declare winning the Australian Cup at Flemington second-up. 

The evergreen Melbourne Cup winner returned in sensational fashion on Saturday, losing in a bob of the head with Group 1-winning NZ raider Campionessa in the Group 2 Peter Young over 1800m at Caulfield. 

"We were obviously thrilled with his return, but at the same time frustrated that we didn't get the bob of the head," trainer Danny O'Brien said. 

"Vow has run five seconds in the last 18 months, but you just can't fault him for effort. He just kept coming and he was in front before and after the line, so it was great effort."

O'Brien said he would resist the temptation to run the eight-year-old again before the Australian Cup at Flemignton on March 30.

"We will keep on the fresh side leading into the Australian Cup. I think his best chance of winning the Australian Cup is to be second up with five week's between runs."

Pic by Racing Photos