3 minute read

Simon Zahra is hoping a swing in the weights will favour Odeon in the VRC/CRV Winter Championship Final at Flemington.

The Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra stable have had a single goal for Odeon this preparation, a Listed race at Flemington. 

That race comes around on Saturday, the VRC/CRV Winter Championship Final (1600m), and Odeon is coming off a last start third to Dice Roll, the short-priced favourite for the return bout. 

Odeon will be better suited with the rise from 1400m to 1600m for that last start defeat and the rising eight-year-old does have the services of Jamie Kah. 

On Saturday, Odeon also meets Dice Roll on 2.5kg better weight term for finishing just over a length behind the Nick Ryan-trained galloper. 

But Zahra is concerned by a lack of speed in Saturday's race as Odeon chases an eighth win from 51 starts and bids to top the $1 million mark in prize money. 

Odeon last tasted success in the Listed Lord Stakes (1700m) at Caulfield on Boxing Day 2019 and has finished further back than fifth on just two occasions from 14 starts. 

Zahra said running Odeon over 1400m at Flemington on June 19 was not ideal. 

"He had a few things going against him the other day," Zahra told RSN. 

"The winner carried two-and-a-half (kilos) less and the 1400 metres, third-up, is not quite ideal. 

"We had him ticking over for this race, which has been our goal all the way through, and we just wanted to keep him fresh and up and about. 

"I think he can run a good race, but I'm just a bit disappointed there's no speed in the race and he might be a sitting shot. 

"He's not the sort of horse you want to be hitting the front on too early, so it's going to be a tricky race. 

"I think the best ride might win the race, but I think he's going into it in good form."