Canberra trainer Nick Olive admitted Single Gaze’s win at Doomben on Saturday was one of the biggest thrills he has had in racing.
Single Gaze ($7) appreciated a perfect ride from Kathy O’Hara to beat Col ‘N’Lil ($14) by a half length with a half neck to Cantbuybetter ($21) in third in the Listed Tails Stakes (1600m).
Olive has had many smart horses but Single Gaze is something special to him.
“It has been well documented that she won the Group One Vinery Stud Classic last year and the fell in the ATC Oaks,” Olive said.
“It has been along road back but I really thought she was back to her best today. I declared her to the connections this morning.”
Olive paid tribute to his staff who helped nurse Single Gaze back to the racetrack earlier this year.
“This win has given me one of the biggest buzzes I have had in racing. I mean she has had a lot of things happen to her since the Oaks,” Olive said.
“For instance even last start she got a clod in her eye. We almost lost her eye. That is why there was a month between runs.”
Olive said he was confident Single Gaze would be a star in the winter.
“I didn’t really think the 1600 metres was ideal today but she was going so well that she would be very hard to beat,” Olive said.
“Kathy (O’Hara) is riding really well and she had her perfectly placed throughout just behind the leader.”
Single Gaze will now press on to the Group Two Hollindale Stakes at the Gold Coast on May 6.
“It will be harder next time but she is going to be suited by a lot of the races in the winter,” Olive added.
O’Hara was also thrilled with the win which gave her a double after earlier winning on Sweet Serendipity.
“She is something special. Onwards and upwards now and I am really thrilled for Nick and his team.,” O’Hara said.
“I think she is really going to get better once we get over more ground.”
