Gonski two year-old Duckworth earned a trip to Melbourne on the strength of an impressive victory at Morphettville on Saturday.
Duckworth (2g Gonski – Always Vain by Keltrice) is unbeaten after two starts in Adelaide. He was a first-up winner in October and resumed with another on-pace victory in the Meetings & Events Australia Plate (1000m).
“The Blue Diamond Prelude in a fortnight is an option,” trainer Jon O’Connor said. “Miracles of Life went across last year and we might see how this one lines up against the better youngsters.
“He’s a professional type and does everything right. I’ve got a lot of faith of him. There’s no frills – he’s just a natural racehorse.”
Duckworth failed to make a $10,000 reserve at the 2013 Adelaide Magic Millions. His dam Always Vain is an unraced half-sister to G3 HKJC Sha Tin Vase winner Always Flying (El Moxie).
Gonski (Danehill) is located at Bunyip-based Oxford Park Stud after starting his stud career at Darley. He had won a Rosehill juvenile by four lengths on debut and returned to win the LR Concept Sports Stakes at Flemington as a spring three year-old.
Oxford Park studmaster Michael Howard stands Gonski for a $4,400 (inc gst) service fee.