Award for patience

DANNY O’Brien’s natural inclination — as with all decorated horsemen — lends itself to patience.

One of the few trainers in Australian racing to have landed Victoria’s spring treble — Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup — O’Brien appreciates the value of allowing young stock to mature without being rushed.

As a racing realist, he also understands there is also a time of reckoning.

Talented Flying Award’s resumption in the Listed McKenzie Stakes (1200m) is an example of where his faculty for measured restraint meets a pivotal crossroad.

“At this time of the year, if you don’t hit the ground running the spring gets away pretty quickly,” O’Brien said.

“Obviously he’s a colt we’re hoping can measure up to the better of the races in the spring.

“If you’re looking at a Caulfield Guineas in seven weeks, you’d want to be running well tomorrow.

“He’s a nice colt who ran well in the autumn. He had great form as a two-year-old. He has plenty of potential and should be a better threeyear-old. He’s come up in good shape and if he’s racing well the Caulfield Guineas is our aim.”

The son of O’Brien’s Cox Plate and Australian Guineas winner Shamus Award, Flying Award has not raced since a brilliant last-to-first triumph at Flemington in the Listed Anzac Day Stakes on April 25.

“He’s trialled well and we’re expecting that he’ll run well fresh,” the trainer said.

O’Brien will send a strong team to The Valley headed by VRC Oaks winner Miami Bound, quality sprinter Banquo, talented import Orderofthegarter and stable newcomer Churning.

He is optimistic soft conditions will help Miami Bound reclaim spring form.

Spelled after two underwhelming runs, she has to shoulder 60kg, conceding weight to older, more experienced males.

“We know she’s at her best on wet tracks. I’m looking forward to seeing her back,” O’Brien said. “She’s in good order and she’ll appreciate the soft ground. The negative is the big weight.”