Trainer Tom Dabernig has opted against chasing Group 1 opportunities in Queensland with rising sprint star Oliveanotherday, choosing instead to freshen the gelding for a spring campaign.
The Nicconi three-year-old stamped himself as a horse of significant promise when becoming the first runner of his age to win the Listed Wangoom Handicap at Warrnambool since 1989.
Despite holding entries for major winter features including the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1200m), Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) and Stradbroke Handicap (1400m), connections have elected to give him a break.
“He’s gone to the paddock for a four-week spell,” Dabernig told Racing.com.
“He will be back for the early part of the spring, possibly first-up in the Listed Regal Roller Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on August 15).”
Dabernig was glowing in his assessment of the gelding following his dominant two-and-a-half length win under Harry Coffey at Warrnambool.
“We’ve actually known from early days that he’s had a stack of ability, but he just keeps on improving,” Dabernig said post-race.
“The main sprint of the carnival, I really wanted to be part of it. I’ve been lucky enough to train a lot of decent horses and win some good races, but that one…
“I was feeling the pressure coming into it, with the three-year-old in the race, but that’s what good horses do – just better than the opposition.
“I’d say there’s another couple of decent wins in him for sure.”
Oliveanotherday has now compiled an impressive record of five wins and a placing from seven starts and was unbeaten in four runs during his latest preparation.
