The Coolmore Classic is the likely G1 target for Single Gaze
While Single Gaze’s omission from the spring was hard for trainer Nick Olive, the forced lay-off may have done wonders for her chances of a second Group One win in autumn.
“It was very disappointing not to have her in the spring but I think it’s been the right move because she’s had a really good spell and she’s come back looking fantastic,” Olive said.
Single Gaze won the Vinery Stud Stakes in April before she fell and lost rider Kathy O’Hara in the Australian Oaks.
Before spring she was back in work with one eye on the Group One Myer Classic, but Olive decided to end her campaign before it started after he determined she was not 100 per cent.
With the setback behind her, Single Gaze returned to work last week and will be gradually eased back into training with Olive at Canberra.
“She’s just going on the water walker for three weeks and then she’ll come back to the stable,” Olive said.
“She’s done really well, we’re really happy with her.”
While Olive is yet to decide on which races to target, the Coolmore Classic shapes as an attractive Group One option.
“It just depends how well she is going,” Olive said.
A more pressing concern is Rhomlo, who can give Olive a rare Highway Handicap runner at Rosehill on Saturday.
The horse is currently equal 15th in the order of entry for the race which has a field limit of 13 for the 1100m race.
Rhomlo has won two of his three starts this preparation, with the only aberration coming at Nowra where he ran last on October 16.
“I hate taking my horses to Nowra. It’s not the track it’s just the trip down from Canberra – my horses don’t seem to handle it,” Olive said.
“I write that off as a forgive run but the rest of them have been fantastic.”
Olive has also nominated Snake Gully Cup placegetter Nat King Cu for a benchmark handicap but he is unlikely to accept.
