Victorian Central Highlands harness racing trainer Tim O’Brien is aiming to make it two Cups in a week when he makes the long trek to the popular Ouyen fixture on Sunday.
O’Brien, of Armstrong, near Ararat, has his stable star Perspective (Art Major USA-Vista Bella (Badlands Hanover USA) in the $14,500 Gregg’s Electrical Ouyen Pacing Cup.
The pacer’s form has been terrific in recent weeks. Leading up to his Boort Cup victory last weekend, he’d been placed in four of his previous six runs.
“The Boort victory was pleasing because I reckon it was the first time he’s come from behind and got the money for me,” O’Brien said.
“We’ve drawn on the inside of the back row at Ouyen so he’s obviously going to have to do it again and try and come home over the top of them.”
The six-year-old is raced by Melbourne owner Kevin Murray, who will be hoping to make it back-to-back Ouyen Cup successes, after Perspective won last year, when driven by Mark Pitt.
O’Brien said getting the opportunity to train the talented pacer was a “dream come true”.
“I think he’s probably won close to $100,000 for us. He’s been a little goldmine for the connections and kept us going along nicely,” he said.
The lucky chance to add Perspective to his stable came through the fact that O’Brien’s father Mick had previously trained horses for Murray years ago.
Perspective was purchased at a clearing sale held by Kevin and Colleen Bamford, who decided to turn their interests fully to the thoroughbreds. The couple conducts “Daisy Hill” stud at Doreen, and had the enjoyment of owning and racing 2010 Melbourne Cup winner Americain.
“I think (well-known bloodstock agent) Mark Hoare was in charge of the sale, and he also may have had a bit to do with me getting the horse,” O’Brien said.
“Perspective finished runner-up at our first start with him in early 2017 at Ararat and I was thinking he’d been a perfect horse for some nice races at Mt Gambier or up in the Mildura area,” he said.
“But I admit I was a little bit off the mark because he’s proven to be a gutsy, genuine racehorse.
“He’s got stronger as we’ve gone along, and he’s certainly got a reputation of being as tough as old boots when he’s out in front. He puts his head down and enjoys holding them off, that’s for sure.”
And there’s no doubting Perspective has proved to be somewhat of a surprise packet as he’s gone on to land the “first prize” at tracks including Melton, Boort, Ouyen, Wedderburn, Bendigo, Ballarat, Mildura and Swan Hill. All up he has 15 wins and 18 placings for earnings of over $125,000.
O’Brien said Perspective is one of the best horses he’s trained.
“He’s definitely up there for sure, but Arber and Western Rockstar had a touch of brilliance about them – I think Western Rockstar is still racing successfully in the USA,” he said.
“The Ouyen race has attracted some handy performers, but with an ounce of luck we shouldn’t be far away.”
And two people who will be cheering for Perspective will certainly be O’Brien’s parents, Mick and Lorraine.
“The horse has become a bit of a family pet because he lives in the front paddock at their place so they will be barracking fairly hard too,” O’Brien said.
Click here for the field of The Ouyan Pacing Cup next Sunday.
Terry Gange
NewsAlert PR Mildura