Night’s Watch in line for spring features

Victoria’s premier trainer Darren Weir is planning to run Night’s Watch in the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes on a seven-day back-up after the promising galloper raced to a soft victory at Caulfield.

Next Saturday’s Group Two Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley also carries a ballot exemption to the winner into both the Cox Plate and Caulfield Cup this spring.

“We’re going to try to get into the Caulfield Cup,” Weir said.

“Whether he gets there or not, I’m sure he’ll win a nice race along the way.”

Damian Lane had Night’s Watch midfield with cover in Saturday’s Jockey Celebration Day Handicap (1400m) before angling out at the top of the straight to get the $3.30 favourite into the clear between runners.

Night’s Watch accelerated to put the race beyond doubt before Lane was able to ease him down in the final strides to defeat Lite’n In My Veins by 2-1/4 lengths.

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“It was some sort of ride,” Weir said.

“Damian did everything absolutely perfect and that was important too because we want to try to back him up next week.

“If he has a good week we definitely will be.

“The way that race unfolded he should come home and do really well because he really only had to gallop up a bit the last furlong and was eased down.

“Going forward he’s a really nice horse.

“He’s matured a lot but he’s still not 100 per cent there.”