Observer
2 c Ghaiyyath – Smooth by Lonhro
O: Godolphin
B: Godolphin
T: James Cummings
W: Tile Importer Handicap ,1400m, June 4, Sandown Lakeside
Darley’s former shuttler Ghaiyyath (Dubawi) chalked up his second individual winner on Wednesday when promising colt Observer (2 c ex Smooth by Lonhro) registered an impressive maiden victory at Sandown-Lakeside.
The James Cummings-trained juvenile finished second on debut over 1200 metres at Pakenham last month and, when stepped up to 1400 metres on Wednesday, improved on that to bound five lengths clear of the Too Darn Hot (Dubawi)-sired Wentworth Falls, who races in the same royal blue silks. There was a further 2.8 lengths back to Sky Deel (Dundeel) in third place.
A homebred for Godolphin, Observer is a half-brother to Group 3 winner Sandpaper (Snitzel), being the third winner from as many runners out of the unraced Lonhro (Octagonal) mare Smooth, who is a sister to multiple Group 1 winner turned Coolmore stallion Pierro and to the dam of Group 2 scorer Estriella (I Am Invincible) – who sold to Coolmore for $2.8 million at last month’s Inglis Chairman’s Sale.
Smooth produced a colt by Anamoe (Street Boss) last spring and is currently in foal to Newmarket Handicap (Gr 1, 1200m) winner Cylinder (Exceed And Excel).
Observer joins Godolphin’s recent winner Crocodile as the second Australian winner for Ghaiyyath, who shuttled between 2021-24 at a fee of $27,500 (inc GST) but will not return in 2025.