Racing: Trainer has big hopes for O'Darci

The Thorndon Mile is a long-term target for O'Darci. Photo / Thinkstock

The Thorndon Mile at Trentham on January 25 is a possible target for the rising star O'Darci, who has earned a comparison to a past winner of the feature.

"Gee, he's impressive this horse," trainer Jason Bridgman said. "He's like a Calm Harbour - he's a serious, serious horse the way he opens up on them."

Trained by the late Noel Eales, Calm Harbour won 16 races, including the 1993 Thorndon Mile at just his eighth start and the undefeated O'Darci may also step onto the big stage early in his career.

"He's gone up two grades and been more impressive each time and managed to put them away in 50 yards," Bridgman said.

"He is still pretty green and has a lot to learn, but the natural ingredients are well above average.

"I think we will just keep working him through the grades, to hone his skills, and he's not ready to be thrown into the bigger races until he's learned better racing habits, but he improves with each run and will continue to do so with racing.

"We will tinker a little with his gear in an attempt to correct any wayward tendencies, but other than that he looks a very exciting prospect.

"Within the handicaps, if he continues to progress the right way, then a race like the Thorndon Mile could be on the radar and he seems the right profile horse for it."

An imposing 4-year-old, O'Darci won his first two starts at Woodville and Hastings easily and at Awapuni last time out he bolted away with a Rating 75 event.

- Agencies