Canberra trainer Nick Olive is hopeful his filly Capital Commander will relish the increase in distance when she attempts the mile for the first time this Wednesday at Warwick Farm.

Olive feels that Capital Commander is ideally prepared for the step up in distance.

“She’s really starting to relax during her work, which is what we’ve been focusing on with her,’ Olive said.

“I think she’ll love the step up to the mile.”

Capital Commander has produced her best performances over the 1,400 metre distance in the past, leading Olive to believe the filly needed greater distance.

“She tended to over race a little early on in her career but now she’s really starting to relax during her runs and settle off the speed,” Olive said.

“I feel that is imperative in being able to run out a strong mile.”

Warwick Farm is set to be rated as a heavy track for the filly’s first mile attempt, a prospect that comes as no worry to Olive.

“She’s won on the heavy before so we’ll have no hesitation in starting her on Wednesday,’ he said.

Capital Commander has proven frustrating for Nick Olive and punters alike, with the three-year-old being beaten twice this year while odds-on favourite in Canberra.

However, the trainer feels that there is more improvement to come for his talented filly.

“I have been happy with all her runs this time in, except for her effort at Canterbury when she was beaten convincingly second up,” Olive said.

“I really feel Wednesday’s step up in distance will open up a lot of improvement in her.

“I thought her last start really suited her campaign and kept her right up to the mark.”