New version of Odeon resumes at Flemington

Brad Waters - Friday September 15

Group I-placed Odeon struck twice early in his last campaign and co-trainer Simon Zahra says the four-year-old will show the same sharpness when he resumes at Flemington on Saturday.

The equine Odeon is going a lot better than the original version.

Odeon resumes in The Sofitel over 1400m, a trip the gelding scored over when resuming at Bendigo in March.

The race was only a Class 1 but Odeon carried plenty of condition before he improved to thrash his rivals in a metropolitan three-year-old race at Mornington second-up.

"He's sharp enough over 1400m. He won first-up over 1400m last time in. I know it was up the bush but he was pretty fat and there was a lot of improvement to come," Zahra, who trains Odeon in partnership with Mathew Ellerton, said.

Odeon continued to improve, beating the older horses at Caulfield in April before a solid third to Volatile Mix in the Group I South Australian Derby (2500m) on May 13.

Zahra and Ellerton did not nominate Odeon for the Caulfield Cup, which can be taken as a lead the Flemington duo views the son of Zacinto differently this time in.

"I think he's a miler or 2000m horse at the moment. I don't think he's a real stayer at this stage of his career," Zahra said.

"That is why we never nominated him for Caulfield Cups and those races, and he's got a rating of 84 and that makes him tricky to place. That's a problem."

Ellerton and Zahra have got Odeon into the field for Saturday's $120,000 contest on the limit weight on 54kg but drawing barrier 14 will consign jockey Chris Symons to riding the horse quietly.

"He's drawn wide so he just has to go back from barrier 14.

"We expect him to be hitting the line well."

Sportsbet has Odeon at $26 in its latest market on The Sofitel. Mr Sneaky, who won a Benchmark 78 at Caulfield last time out is a $3.40 favourite ahead of Chocolate Holic at $4.

The Robert Smerdon-trained Theanswermyfriend is on the third line of betting at $5.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Cambridge Stud News
It’s been the spring that keeps giving for Cambridge Stud and it’s not over yet.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
Halo Racing Reduction features in November (Late) catalogue
Shares in reigning G1 Caulfield Cup champion Duke de Sessa, G1 Toorak Hcp winner Attrition and tomorrow’s G1 Railway Stakes favourite Light Infantry Man headline an exciting Inglis Digital November (Late) Online Sale.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
$1.3million Snitzel Colt Ready to Fire on Debut for Te Akau
Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are confident they have the young firepower to make an early impression in the first of the black type features at Pukekohe Park on Saturday.
Pinhook Winners 2024 NZB Ready to Run – Churchill Colt the Star
A record breaking NZB Ready to Run Sale this week at Karaka delivered plenty of pinhook success with 18 two year-olds selling for $300,000 or more above their yearling purchase price, so let’s take a look at some of the best of them.
Luberon Heads Cambridge Stud Saturday Charge
Lance Noble will attempt to add to a strong run of spring form for Cambridge Stud when he sends out five well-credentialled runners in Brendan and Jo Lindsay’s black and gold colours at Pukekohe on Saturday.
Best On Breeding
The cerise, white crossed sashes and black cap of Bob Peters, Peter's Investments, may not be the once dominant force they have been for decades in Western Australian racing, but they are far from finished.
$2,000 Gavelhouse Bargain Keeps on Winning!
The Grey Goose continued to belie her purchase price last start when recording her fifth win at Wingatui, bringing her career earnings to more than $225,000.
Magic Millions 2025 Magazine Online
The 2025 Magic Millions magazine is now online with a great mix of gallery images, editorial and vendor profilies.