A minor shoulder injury may have hampered the early Melbourne Spring Carnival for promising Zacinto gelding Odeon, but he proved the setback was well behind him with a front running romp in today’s $120,000 thebigscreencompany.com.au Handicap on Blue Sapphire day at Caulfield.
Jumping well from gate six, Odeon was ridden forward today, tracking early leader Lizard Island before cruising to the lead at the top of the straight where he eased to a comfortable 1.5 length win.
It was Odeon’s second success at Caulfield, whose autumn three-year-old win at the track was bookended by a Mornington Guineas win and a third placing in the South Australian Derby.
The win was the first at the Melbourne Spring Carnival in five years for leading trainers Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra, highlighting just how special a win is during the iconic period of racing.
“He had a little set back mid preparation,” said Zahra.
“It probably put us a month behind, and we’ve just been trying to get him fit; he loves Caulfield, and there’s a lot of improvement to come out of today.”
Jockey Chris Symonds was also full of praise after the win.
“He got into a beautiful rhythm and at the top of the straight he was never in doubt; he put them away pretty easily,” said Symonds.
While the training duo initially had Group One goals for the gelding this spring, the setback caused a change of plans, and Zahra hinted his prep this spring may be kept on the lighter side, before loftier goals in the autumn.
The win made it four wins in a row for the stock of Zacinto, after Zavistic, Magic Ivan and Dream Rich won on consecutive days last weekend.