Busy start to Bendigo Cup day for Kyneton trainer George Osborne

While he does not have a runner in the day’s feature event, the $350,000 Jayco Bendigo Cup, Osborne is well represented elsewhere across the card, starting in the day’s opening race with Celeritate Regem.

The four-year-old is making his return to racing after being gelded following his disappointing maiden run at Werribee in May this year.

Osborne was hoping for improvement from the son of French sire Equiano, who is rated a $23 chance.

“His jump outs have been good, but we probably need to see what he can do on race day at this stage,” he said.

“His one run last prep, we took him to the races as a colt and he just had no idea, so we gelded him and he’s comes back a lot better.

“It’s ‘look and see’ with him to be quite honest.

“Laika Boom in race two is learning … he has a tendency to lay in in his races but we’re trying to straighten that out.

“His two runs this prep have been okay … he might be looking for a bit longer (than 1400m) but he’s drawn to get a nice run.”

The four-year-old gelding, who will be ridden by Linda Meech, was a close-up fifth in his most recent start at Kyneton on October 16, when beaten by less than three lengths.

Osborne, who has notched 362 career winners and nearly $6 million in prize money in his more than 20 years as a trainer, rates Nothing But A Saga in race three as arguably his best chance for the day in the 1100m benchmark 64 handicap (race three).

The five-year-old mare is backing up from an eye-catching second placing at Kyneton on October 6 behind the impressive Ciaran Maher and David Eustace-trained sprinter Lagerfeld.

“She’s a beauty … and tries her heart out; her biggest drama is she gets a long way back but she charges home,” Osborne said.

“She’s always hitting the line hard, she just needs a strong tempo and a chance to be able to get home.

“She always races well over that short journey where there is a bit pressure on.”

Osborne, who has trained winners on previous Bendigo Cup days, wished former Kyneton trainer Brent Stanley luck in the Cup.

Now based at Sutton Grange, Stanley will saddle up Red Alto in the $350,000 feature race.

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