O'Briens on the mark with Prepare For Battle

Champion Trainer Aidan O'Brien completed a double at Gowran today as his Prepare For Battle made all in the Thomastown Maiden to provide his Jockeys' Championship-chasing son Donnacha O'Brien with his 85th winner this season.

O'Brien senior won the opener with 14/1 shot Western Australia under Seamie Heffernan, which beat the Donnacha O'Brien partnered 5/6 favourite South Pacific into second, but the father/son team readily made amends as Prepare To Battle easily beat runner-up Small Wonder by six and a half lengths.

Donnacha O'Brien, who is 20 winners clear of nearest pursuer Colin Keane (85-65), later said the step up in trip again suited him. I kept it uncomplicated with him, he had a little look in front but did it nicely.

“He's not a bad horse, I'd say, and he'll probably step up in class now. There might not be too many winners' races left so he might have to go into a group race. He's done it nicely.”

Quotes from Gary Carson