AMANDA PULLS OUT HER MAJOR TRUMP CARD FOR THE DERBY

Reichenbach Falls and Sectum Sempra have been pencilled in as possible triple crown runners for master trainer Amanda O'Brien. When asked about how she thinks Reichenbach Falls will go in the Derby she responded "I think that Falls will be a strong contender for the TC given his pedigree being out of the top sire Troll Tower and a G1 winning World Record holding dam, so he has the potential on paper to be speedy enough for the 10f races whilst having the lungs to get the Belmont distances." Reichenbach Falls will have his lead up runs in the Florida and Santa Anita's Derbies. Sectum Sempra will race in all the same lead up races as Fallsy except for the Kentucky Derby, unless he improves his form over the shorter distances.

Reichenbach's main rivals seem to be Autharky and Believer, both top class colts who have dominated the 2yo dirt races. Beauty Queen is also one not to be ignored especially if she runs against the colts. When I asked what races she had in mind for Fallsy if he wins or races very well in the triple crown races she responded "the breeders cup classic will be his ultimate aim but we'll take it race by race and if he did manage to do well in the TC races he would earn a rest for a while before maybe going for a few races against the older horses". She has also mentioned the Breeders Cup Endurance as a possible goal for Sectum Sempra as he is a dyed in the wool stayer. But be warned punters, Amanda has said that if her horses don't perform in lead up races they won't race in the main event".

O'Brien will also have runners in the English classics, with the big Johar colt Moriaty and perhaps Sign Of Four lining up in the Derby and Perfecta in the Oaks. Moriaty was a promising second in the G3 Pilgrim Stakes over 1800m at Belmont as a 2yo and should handle the extra distance. Perfecta and Sign Of Four have both shown promise and will appreciate the extra ground.

Meanwhile, the Group 2 winning colt New Moon On Monday while resume in the G2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on week 5. He should be hard to beat while in this class.

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Honest stayer WinWinWin will start off his preparation for the Melbourne Cup this week with a run in a $30,000 Open Handicap over a mile at Victoria Park. Kayll said he was happy with his preparation say he had filled out nicely since his last run when he won the Group 3 WA St Leger in Perth. "He's coming along nicely and he well and truly gets the two miles so I'd like to give him a go at the Melbourne Cup" he said. "He'll go onto the G3 Kingston Town (2000m) on the 11th of Feb and then either the G1 Metropolitan Handicap (2600m) or the G2 Winning Edge Handicap (2400m) at Caulfield before the Melbourne Cup."