Rain made to Order for O’Brien galloper

AS with most trainers, Danny O’Brien prefers to take racing’s most fickle commodity – luck – out of the equation.

The Melbourne Cupwinning trainer has excelled this season at his home track of Flemington with 14 winners from 82 runners.

Trailing Lindsay Park by just one in the Flemington trainers premiership as the season winds down, O’Brien is hopeful just one outside agency – rain – can aid his cause.

O’Brien will saddle Order Of Command, Run To Perfection, Burleigh Boy and Grinzinger Allee at the VRC’s Country Race Day meeting today.

“Order Of Command is a superior wet tracker, hence why we program him to race through June and July,” O’Brien said yesterday.

“There’s some rain forecast, and if it eventuates it would certainly aid his cause.

“He’s super, we’re really happy with him, we have a great preparation with him so far, and he should be hard to beat, particularly if there’s rain.”

Fifth in the Group 1 Goodwood at Morphettville last start, Order Of Command is $3.90 favourite for the Adam Lindsay Gordon Handicap (1100m).

To carry 62kg, the gelding will concede up to 6kg to his rivals, but O’Brien isn’t worried.

“He’s similarly treated to Wangoom when he carried 62kg,” he said.

“This looks a nice race for him.”

Damien Oliver takes the ride and will also combine with O’Brien on Kiwi Run To Perfection in the A.R. Creswick Stakes (1200m).

“His runs in New Zealand were good, and even his first run for me when he pulled up ordinary was OK with the weight (61kg) he carried that day,” O’Brien said.

“We get another guide on him (today) as to where he measures up in Australia.”