Winning Horse: Viral (AUS)

5yoG Al Maher (Aus) - Tyche (Aus)(Saltgrass (USA))

24 starts - 6 wins 3 seconds 3 thirds 2 fourths $267725

Other Wins

1st Caulfield Bill Collins (Bm78) 1400m (2020)

1st Sandown-Lakeside Ladbrokes Money Back Odds-Bm70 1300m (2020)

1st Mornington Musk Creek Farm (Bm70) 1200m (2019)

1st Gold Coast Ubet (Bm65) 1200m (2018)

1st Gold Coast Bacardi Rum Hcp 1200m (2018) (Debut Run)

Race Result:

1st: Viral (D O’Brien/D Lane) - $4.40F

2nd: Rule The World (Waterhouse & Bott/J Kah) - $5
3rd: Biometric (T Dabernig & B Hayes/D Oliver) - $6.50

Winning Time: 1:24.23 Last 600m: 34.78

Margins: Long Head x Neck

Winning Trainer: Danny O’Brien (rep by Mark Chevalier)

Decided not to run in Chester Manifold last week: “It wasn’t about the draw. Just a few days before the run the horse just showed us that he wasn’t quite over his run on Boxing Day. After discussion with the team we decided to listen to the horse and give him a week off. He thanked us (laughs) and he had a good gallop on Tuesday.

“Today he was just looking great. He’s got such a big heart and it was a great thrill to watch him win today.

“I just want to thank the team. The last few weeks have been very hard with part of the team away on the Gold Coast. Everybody has worked really hard. I want to thank them for their dedication.”

Future: “It’s going to be a bit more difficult now. He’s going to have to look for a benchmark 90 somewhere, I guess. We’ll look at the program and hopefully there is a race in three weeks which will be ideal for him.”

Winning Jockey: Damian Lane

“Credit to Viral. He’s so tough and honest. You’d love half as many horses to try as hard as he does. He really has a crack for you and he deserved another win. I found myself in a good spot and just needed a bit of luck at the right time.

“When I set out after the leader I thought that he’s probably not sharp enough to get him but just because he’s determined and he wants to do everything for you, you almost feel bad for getting him to put in such a ‘max’ effort because he’s giving his all. I was just lucky today that things worked out and he could get his head out in front when needed.”