Danny O’Brien and Damien Oliver teamed up to win three races at Sandown on Wednesday and they can combine again to score with Cyclone Al (Race 2 at 1.36pm AEDT) at Ballarat this afternoon.

Cyclone Al (3c By Al Maher – Gentle Wind by Zip Home) has been knocking on the door at his last couple of outings.  At his penultimate start, the colt flew home to be beaten a half-head by Rock And Roll over 1400m at Ballarat on December 2.  Last time out, he was placed behind smart gallopers Tonzaticka and Dunrossil at Moonee Valley on December 11.

Cyclone Al is by second-season Emirates Park sire Al Maher (Danehill) who was been represented by 24 winners from his first crop to date.  His dam Gentle Wind won 10 races, including a Toowoomba Cup (LR), but her best performance was probably when fourth home in the 1997 Ansett Stakes (G1) at Rosehill won by Danendri.

O’Brien paid $125,000 for Cyclone Al from the Glenlogan Park draft at the 2008 Gold Coast Magic Millions.  He is a younger half-brother to three winners – Tsubasa (Danzero), Heart’s Purring (Show a Heart) and Altissimo (Show a Heart).

Glenlogan Park retained a share in the colt and another part-owner is Oliver’s good mate and manager Neil Pinner.