Canberra filly Single Gaze is in great order to kick off her three race Brisbane Winter Carnival campaign in the Group 2 $175,000 Bollinger Champagne Classic (1200m) at Doomben on Saturday.
Single Gaze kicks of her Winter Carnival campaign in the Champagne Classic at Doomben. Photo by Steve Hart.
Trainer Nick Olive gave Single Gaze a couple of weeks in the paddock after finishing tenth to Vancouver in the Group 1 $3.5m Tooheys New Golden Slipper Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on March 21.
But after inspecting her, the Canberra trainer decided to put her back into work and head to the Sunshine State for the Winter Carnival.
“She just had a couple weeks in the paddock after the Golden Slipper. She did really well and I had it in the back of my mind for Brisbane,” Oliver told Racing HQ.
“When I went and looked at her in the paddock, it was a no brainer, I just decided to give her a crack at it.”
Olive has reported that Single Gaze has gone ahead since her return to work and said that the Not A Single Doubt filly is in top order heading into the Champagne Classic for the two year olds.
“I couldn’t be happier with her. I think she has improved again,” Olive said.
“Every time we have given her a little break she has come back better. Her work was great the other day and she feels terrific. Really happy with how she travelled up there and settled in.”
After Saturday Olive will step the filly up in distance in Group 2 $250,000 Mitavite Australia BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1350m) at Doomben on May 23 and then if she is still going okay will tackle the Group 1 $600,000 BMW Australia J.J. Atkins (1600m) at Doomben a fortnight later.
“The plan is to stay up there for all three runs. I can’t wait to get her over a bit of ground, I think she had been screaming out for it,” Olive said.
“Everything has to go right for Saturday and the plan is to stay for all three races.”
Single Gaze drew wide in the Golden Slipper and was out of luck in the barrier draw for the Champagne Classic, coming up with gate thirteen in the fifteen horse field with Tommy Berry to ride.
Smart local colt Wicked Intent has also drawn out in the car park at twelve while Magic Millions 2yo Classic winner Le Chef has drawn nicely at two.
