Canberra trainer Matthew Dale is following a proven path to one of country NSW’s feature sprints with Unanimously.
Eight-year-old Unanimously will attempt to win Saturday’s Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield before his main aim of trying to win a third Wagga Wagga Town Plate on May 5.
Unanimously was off the scene for last year’s Town Plate, but he won the 1200m race in 2013 and again in 2014.
“In our area, it’s a race we love winning,” Dale said.
“We’ve won it three times now and twice with him.
“That’s what he’s been aimed towards.”
Two years ago Unanimously was second in a 955m race at Moonee Valley then was narrowly beaten when second in a Caulfield 1100m handicap before heading to the Town Plate.
“We’ve followed that exact same path,” Dale said.
After a sixth over 955m last month behind Beau Rada, Dale said the gelding had progressed heading into Saturday.
“He has trialled at Canberra in between to keep him ticking over and he profiles quite well second-up at Caulfield over 1100 metres off a three-to-four week break,” he said.
Along with a second to Pago Rock two years ago second-up, the gelding also finished fifth, beaten two lengths, after a wide run in the 2013 Group One Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield second-up.
Multiple Group One placegetter Under The Louvre is topweight in a field of 14 plus emergencies.
Unanimously, whose most recent win was almost two years ago, has won almost $650,000 prize money and has been a long-time stable star for Dale before the emergence of Fell Swoop.
“He’s obviously an eight-year-old now and in the twilight of his career but Unanimously was always the flagbearer,” Dale said.
“Fell Swoop has come up and taken over the mantle there, but the old horse is still going well.”
