Tentyris and Observer deliver G1 double at Flemington

Exceptional colts Tentyris and Observer claimed G1 glory for Godolphin at Flemington on Saturday, 1 November, cementing their place among this season’s standout three-year-olds.

Tentyris burst down the middle of the track from back in the field for jockey Mark Zahra and co-trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman to race away with the “stallion-making” Coolmore Stud Stakes over 1,200m.

Forty minutes later, Zahra piloted the Ciaron Maher-trained Observer to become Godolphin Australia’s first VRC Derby winner when he led throughout to win the 2,500m spring staying test.

Tentyris notched his fourth Stakes victory when be beat My Gladiola by 2.25 lengths, with Legacy Bound three-quarters of a length away in third place in a fast 1 minute 8.1 seconds.

The win lifted his career record to four wins and two placings from seven starts for prize-money and bonuses totalling $1,980,745.

Sam Freedman was delighted a long-term Coolmore plan hatched after the handsome son of Street Boss won the G2 Todman Stakes at Randwick back in the autumn had come to fruition.

“To do it with Dad, he's the reason I'm here today, so without him I'd be nothing. So, it's incredibly special,” Freedman told Racing.com.

“And Godolphin, they've been amazing supporters of ours for a very long time and this colt has been with us since day one and he's shown a lot the whole way through.

“The team at home has done a great job, we're supported by some great staff who put in a lot of hours and for the old man, to do it with him, it's pretty special.”

Anthony Freedman made one of his rare on-track appearances to watch a colt the stable had nurtured from day one.

“This was the horse we had so much faith in and he (Sam) prepared him perfectly.

“I just wanted to be here and sit in the background and say, ‘well done’.

“Credit to the horse, Godolphin – obviously great supporters and our staff have done a great job.”

Zahra said Tentyris had always been a “special” horse and had untapped ability.

“He let rip when I first let go and then he thought, ‘where am I?’,” Zahra said.

“And he started to stargaze (but) he’s a very good colt and what a win.

“I chose him out of a few horses, but I stuck with my barn, the ‘Freedies’ and they just had him absolutely on the ball for today.

“It's just so good when you're involved with a team and it all pays off.”

Zahra also stuck with last week’s G2 Vase winner Observer, with glittering results.

Taken straight to the front, the son of Ghaiyyath dictated the pace before kicking clear to hold off Arcora by three-quarters of a length, with Deal Done Fast another three-quarters of a length away in third place.

Observer took his record to three wins and three placings from seven starts for prize-money and bonuses of $1,805,600.

Maher praised Zahra for riding Observer like the best horse in the race.

“I said to Mark, ‘there was no point trying to fight him, let’s just go with him’,” the champion trainer said.

“I thought he was that much better than them and I said, ‘you might as well ride him that way’.

“To Mark’s credit, he had the revs up early and I was a bit worried, but he got some nice sectionals mid-race and that’s fantastic.

“He took luck out of it, he’s riding on the crest of a wave; there’s no-one riding any better and he’s a great mate.

“It’s just fantastic for Godolphin and to be able to train a colt like that, he’s got so much ahead of him and so much furnishing to do.”

Maher said he still pinching himself to have Godolphin horses like Observer and Tempted in his stable.

“To be given a horse like Tempted to run in an Everest and run so well (second) and to have such a progressive colt like this, I can't thank Andy (Makiv), Jason (Walsh) and the whole team, Ross (Cole),” he said.

“The whole Godolphin team, they're an elite outfit, and I can't thank them enough.

“I think the sky's the limit for this colt, he's just so adaptable.

“He was unlucky (third) in a (Caulfield) Guineas; he’s won a Vase and now he’s won a Derby and he’s pretty similar to his old man.”

Zahra admitted he was in two minds how to ride Observer over the 2,500m until he listened to Maher.

“I ummed and ahhed whether to lead, but speaking to Ciaron he gave me great confidence,” he said.

“I heard him say, ‘he’ll run it, so if you want to lead, just do it’.

“He never switches right off, he's always on the bridle, but he's tough.

“He's just like his old man and late, when they got to him, he found again.

“He's so tough and came again, he’s ticked off a Victoria Derby, but I think you'll find next year he's a 2,000m horse.”