A blistering final 600m sectional in his last-start win indicates top colt The Odyssey should have no trouble again handling 1200m in the $500,000 2YO Jewel at the Gold Coast.
The Odyssey has had six starts for three wins and two minor placings with his other run resulting in a 12th behind Exhilarates in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic over the Gold Coast 1200m.
The colt was sent for a short break after the Millions and came back to win a heat of the Jewel Prelude (1200m) at Doomben two weeks ago.
Trainer Kelly Schweida admitted he had some reservations about starting The Odyssey first-up at 1200m at Doomben.
“The lead-up races just didn’t fall our way and really I would have preferred an 1100m race,” Schweida said.
“But he did look a weight certainty and he needed to run to be ready for the Jewel.”
Schweida need not have worried as The Odyssey led all the way to win by 2-1/2 lengths.
While some pundits believed The Odyssey was favoured by being able to set a relatively slow first 600m, Schweida was still pleased with the effort.
The Odyssey’s final 600m of 33.24 seconds was good for a two-year-old and the fastest of any of the nine races for the day, including brilliant sprinter Mr Marbellouz’s sectional.
His overall time was also quicker than the winner of the fillies heat in Niedorp who is headed to the Group Three Magic Night Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday.
Schweida believes some rain during the week should see the track softer than on Millions day when it played lightning fast.
“A bit of rain won’t do him any harm and he does look well weighted again,” Schweida said.
“He would be giving these a lot of weight in a handicap. The prize money is better than a Group One race and if they want to take him on early good luck to them. I know who will come put on top.”
