It’s not too often Canberra-based trainer Matthew Dale heads to Victoria.
But when he does he invariably employs the services of one of Melbourne’s top jockeys.
With Unanimously set to resume at Flemington in the Listed Kensington Stakes on Saturday, Dale has secured Craig Williams.
Damien Oliver will ride Mystic Puzzle in the MiStable Handicap at Sandown on Wednesday.
Oliver leads Dwayne Dunn by one win in the Melbourne jockeys’ premiership after hitting the front on Calming Influence at Flemington on January 1.
Suspensions and trips to Perth and Mauritius for an international jockeys’ series slowed Oliver’s momentum, but the seven-time Scobie Breasley Medal winner is now back riding in top form.
Mystic Puzzle is one of six rides for Oliver on Wednesday before he heads to the Gold Coast for the Magic Millions meeting on Saturday.
A former member of the late Guy Walter’s stable, Mystic Puzzle has had three starts since joining Dale’s Canberra yard.
Her best performance has been a close second on her home track sandwiched between fourths at Warwick Farm and Rosehill.
With 25 horses in work, Dale doesn’t travel to Victoria all that often but believes the five-year-old is well placed on Wednesday.
“She’s in good form and she looks quite well placed,” Dale said.
Mystic Puzzle was a last-start fourth on a heavy track at Rosehill on December 12 after finishing second at Canberra on November 28.
Dale won’t venture to Sandown on Wednesday and will entrust the care of Mystic Puzzle to his foreman but he intends to make the trip to Flemington to watch Unanimously run.
