My Oberon claims Crystal Mile

He was purchased with the Cox Plate firmly in mind but connections of import My Oberon were more than content with a stylish victory at The Valley on Saturday in the Group 2 Crystal Mile (1600m).

My Oberon was paid up as a late entry into the Cox Plate but trainer Annabel Neasham cancelled those lofty plans over the past week as she felt that, without a training partner in quarantine at Werribee, the horse would not be ready for the ultimate test in The Valley’s 2040-metre showpiece event.

“Just thought he might be a bit underdone,” Neasham said after the race. “He hasn’t run since July and just great to see.

“Johnny (Allen) was three-wide and the owners were going ‘What the’, and I said ‘He’s probably in the best part of the track there’.

“He was super. (Original trainer) William Haggas sent me a message the other day saying ‘Good luck, don’t hit the front too soon’, which was good advice.

“He hit the front and held on well. He’ll come on a lot from that and hopefully find a nice race in two weeks.”

That race is shaping as either the $3 million G1 Champion Mile or the $3m G1 Champion Stakes (2000m). Neasham gave thanks to local trainer Dave Eustace’s brother Harry for looking after the horse as he prepared to fly out to Australia.

“Harry Eustace is a big part of it,” she said. “Big thanks to him. He looked after him in quarantine on the UK side. He’s had his hands on nearly every horse I’ve had out here for a few weeks before they come out.”

Due to the doubt on his full fitness, My Oberon was sent out a $6.50 chance on Saturday, but he came with a well-timed sprint to run down Buffalo River (third at $16) and then hold off that horse’s stablemate Bankers Choice (second at $6).

For Allen, it was his third win in the G2 following victories on Cliff’s Edge (2019) and last year on Just Folk.

“I’ve had a bit of luck in it and it was good to get a win again today,” he said.

“The horse was traveling good down the side and much too good for them.

“The 1600 metres – you’d imagine he might get a bit further, too. He relaxes nice.

“It was a bit of a concern about the Soft ground (but) I galloped him last week through it and he seemed to handle it.

“It was a good win. Maybe he should have been in the Cox Plate with the way he won today. Good effort.”