Group 1 Victory On Cards For Olive

There's been a buzz around Nick Olive's stable this week, with everyone from the stable hand up to the boss excited about Zaratone's run in the $350,000 group 1 Galaxy at Randwick today. For horse trainers, group 1s are their grand finals and Zaratone has emerged from nowhere to be a contender in the 1100-metre feature in Sydney.

Just two starts ago Olive wasn't even considering group racing let alone entering the Zariz gelding into a top-level race. After a disappointing spring he was just looking to find some form. But a solid third in the listed McCarten Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill followed by a dominant victory in the group 3 Sebring Stakes (1100m) last start have convinced Olive that Zaratone has earned a shot at this level - the form is back. "I just thought I'd try and place him in races he could be competitive in, he's just come up tremendous this campaign, really thrived and he's absolutely flying." Olive said. "The horse feels like he could run through a brick wall he feels so good.

The way he won last start (the Galaxy) was probably the next logical step." Zaratone, a $15 long shot, is ideally drawn in barrier two to take up his preferred position at the front of the field. The only question mark is how the six-year-old will handle the wet track. he has won on slow and heavy tracks before but not since 2009 at Queanbeyan. "Probably his recent wet-weather form hasn't been at the top of his game, so it's hard to go by, but I'm pretty confident he'll get through the wet," Olive said. "The barrier draw is ideal, the question mark is though, is the fence going to be off with the wet track? It's a late race so they might be getting off the fence by the time he comes around, so it might not be the place to be."

Olive has yet to salute in a group 1race - the closest has come is second. Zenarta fell 1 and a half lengths short of Marju Snip in the SAJC Oaks (2020m) at Morphettville in 2006. That's why there's been so much excitement about today, despite the tough field - he sees $5 favourite Bel Sprinter as the obvious horse to beat. The Bel Exprit gelding is yet to win at group level, although he has saluted in the listed WJ Adams Stakes (1000m) and the listed National Service Stakes (1200m). He also ran second to Lone Rock in the group 3 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m). "That's what everyone in the game dreams about (winning a group1), especially a country trainer. Even having a group 1 runner is a big thrill for a country trainer, that's for sure." Olive said. "Everyone's been on a high this week, it's just been exciting, the build-up into it and knowing the horse is going so well as well, he's just thrived during the week.

Reprinted from The Canberra Times Saturday 21 April 2012
Date published: 30/04/12