Three-year-old gelding Oceans Above continues to improve with racing, with the Simon Zahra-trained galloper closing from back in the field to score in the VRC Member Cameron Ryan Plate (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday.
The son of Ocean Park was ridden to victory by Harry Coffey, advancing his record to three wins and a placing from eight starts.
Sent out a $10 chance, Zahra had been confident of a good showing with Coffey having his second ride on the horse and learning plenty about the gelding from his previous fifth placing at Sandown.
“I declared him after Sandown,” Zahra said.
“We just couldn’t find the right mile race for him and we just sort of rolled him around the other day. I just said to the crew after Sandown, where we were a little bit flat, that we would be here at Flemington in two weeks and he just wins.
“He’s got a lot of ability and is still pretty raw. We are pleased where we are going with him.
The versatile galloper won on a soft 5 at Flemington on Saturday, but Zahra said he could push on into winter.
“He loves the wet tracks too,” Zahra said. “I was keen to get him to 2000m. There’s a race in three weeks’ time, so we might head that way and then give him a little freshen up and maybe just get him through the winter.
“He’s just got to season up but he’s got plenty of ability.”
Coffey said the horse appreciated the roomy track at Flemington and had a nice run in a muddling run race.
“We were just wide with a little bit of cover in a smooth sort of set up and that allowed him to really let rip. He’s got a nice turn of foot and he showed that today.
“I really benefited from having a ride on him, because at Sandown I was in amongst them and he was very on and off the bridle the whole way. Whereas today I had a bit of room and was able to keep that rhythm and build. Even for a small horse he really benefits from rhythm.
“In a couple of his races he’s raced in restricted room and was a little bit unsure about it all.
“Today he got the right scenario and his turn of foot really showed and he got the job done.”
Bred by Graham and Helen-Gaye Bax of Blandford Lodge, Oceans Above is by proven Waikato Stud stallion Ocean Park and is one of two winners out of the Redoute’s Choice mare Ravenna.
