New Zealand-bred three-year-old Oceanography has booked his ticket for the Victoria Derby Trial (1800m) at Flemington in a fortnight after breaking maiden ranks at Sandown on Wednesday.
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained colt jumped away well from barrier five and was pushed forward by jockey John Allen to sit outside early leader Politicalinfluence.
The son of Ocean Park took charge turning for home and ran away to win by three-quarters of a length over compatriot Salto Angel in the 1500m contest, with 2-1/2 lengths to And She Was in third.
“We have been patient with him. He has been in work awhile and we have just chipped away with him and gradually increased his workload,” Eustace said.
“The last six weeks he has really thrived with the weather changing.
“He got in a nice spot and stretched well. He is going to get a bit further and hopefully we can keep pushing on.”
He will now target the Derby Trial at Flemington in a fortnight and Eustace said he will appreciate the step up in distance.
“There’s a perfect race for him in two weeks - a Derby trial at Flemington over 1800m,” Eustace said. “He is taking his racing really well and he looks great.
“He is very straightforward now. He does everything asked of him. He has got a really good constitution and is now quite a professional horse.
“He is going to love Flemington and the step up in trip.”
Bred by Nearco Stud, Oceanography was purchased out of Curraghmore’s 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock May Sale draft for $15,000 before being offered through Cambria Park’s 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 2 sale where he was purchased for $25,000 by Flying Start Syndications in partnership with Pinhook Bloodstock.
