Awake In Grinzing Victoria Derby hope

Ladbrokes Park winner Awake In Grinzing could be aimed towards the Group 1 $1.5m AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on October 29 after scoring an impressive first up win on Wednesday.

Ben Melham, above, rode Awake In Grinzing to win on debut at Ladbrokes Park. Photo by Adrienne Bicknell.

Ben Melham, above, rode Awake In Grinzing to win on debut at Ladbrokes Park. Photo by Adrienne Bicknell.

The Danny O’Brien trained Awake In Grinzing was sent out as a $7 chance at his debut in The Grand Hotel Frankston 2yo Plate (1200m) and after settling near the tail of the field worked home to record a one length win for Ben Melham.

O’Brien trained Awake In Grinzing’s half-brother Ballack to run second in the 2007 Group 1 $400,000 W.A.T.C. Derby (2400m) and the Flemington trainer rates the two year old a better prospect at this stage of his career.

“Ballack didn’t have the talent of this guy and he ran second in a WA Derby,” O’Brien told G1X.

“Being able to win at 1200 metres is something that Ballack would not have been able to do. He travelled like a good stayer and he accelerated.”

If Awake In Grinzing dosen’t come up in time for the Victoria Derby, O’brien will put him away and aim him towards one of the Derbies in the Autumn next year.

“There are other Derbies and good races in the autumn if it all comes too soon,” O’Brien said. “We came here today (Wednesday) to ride him conservatively and give him the opportunity to show us what he’s got and he passed with flying colors.”

“We’ll give him a run in three or four weeks’ time and see where he’s at.”

Melbourne jockey’s premiership hopeful Dwayne Dunn failed to ride a winner at Ladbrokes Park on Wednesday and missed a great opportunity to gain some ground on front runner Craig Williams and could only record four placings from eight rides.

Williams, who is on the top of the leader board with 68 wins, missed Wednesday’s meeting due to a careless riding suspension and will head to Caulfield on Saturday with a three win advantage over Dunn who is chasing his first Melbourne metropolitan premiership win.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.