Flemington trainer Danny O’Brien has kept last start Caulfield winner Iconoclasm on the fresh side for his assignment in the Group 1 $750,000 The Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville on Saturday.
Iconoclasm, above, heads to The Goodwood at Morphettville in great shape. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Iconoclasm is stepping back up to Group 1 company following his win in the $250 VOBIS Gold Sprint (1200m) at Caulfield on April 27 and O’Brien expects the ex-Darren Weir trained sprinter to make his presence felt.
O’Brien has kept Iconoclasm on the fresh side with three weeks in between runs but said that he will head to Adelaide in top order.
“He is very well,” O’Brien told racing.com.
“He had a solid enough run first up which brought his fitness levels right on.”
“We have had three weeks in between runs, haven’t done a lot with him, had a good solid gallop here on Saturday morning and he will head to Adelaide on Thursday night in great shape.”
O’Brien expects Iconoclasm to be suited by the 1200m of The Goodwood at this stage of his preparation but is looking forward to stepping him up in distance and will head to Brisbane for the Group 1 $1.5m Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 8.
“Always an option to get to The Goodwood. Hopefully trying to get him to the Stradbroke,” O’Brien said.
“At the 1400m he is probably a little bit better suited, but it is certainly a track where he should race well, Morphettville.”
“He is still only second up so fresh enough for the 1200m, a Group 1, and he is going to go there in good order.”
“His record suggests that he is a top class racehorse and it would be a big thrill if he could win a Group 1 for us.”
“I think he is going to run very well. Whether or not the 1200m at Group 1 level, there might be a couple a bit sharper than him but he will go there with a really good hope.”
“He is well treated at the handicaps with the set weights and penalties, and as I said before Morphettville is track that he will rally appreciate.”
While under the care of Weir, Iconoclasm was tested at Group 1 level on three occasions but failed to run a place.
Leading Melbourne jockey Craig Williams was aboard Iconoclasm for his Caulfield win and will follow him to Morphettvile for The Goodwood where he has drawn barrier twelve in the sixteen horse field.
Early betting at Ladbrokes.com.au for The Goodwood has Iconoclasm on the third line at $7 behind last start Robert Sangster Stakes winner Spright at $3.60 and runner up Cool Passion at $6.50.
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