The Warrnambool gelding Oliveanotherday is slated to make an appearance on the Flemington straight as his current racing campaign begins to take shape.
Oliveanotherday has achieved a streak of five wins, and his next race is the Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Quality over 1200 metres on Saturday.
The Bobbie Lewis Quality presents Oliveanotherday with a valuable opportunity to experience the Flemington straight, a potential lead-up to the Melbourne Cup Carnival. More importantly, it will serve to get the sprinter into prime condition for the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on September 26.
Oliveanotherday concluded his prior campaign with a victory in the Listed Wangoom Handicap (1200m) at Warrnambool in May. He resumed his winning form by taking out the Group 3 The Heath (1100m) at Caulfield on August 29.
In that contest, Oliveanotherday had to push for clear running but displayed a sharp turn of foot to continue his winning sequence.
Trainer Tom Dabernig, who narrowly missed out on his first Group 1 triumph since departing Lindsay Park for Warrnambool with Cavalry Girl in the Moir Stakes last Saturday, commented that Oliveanotherday’s first-up win was not as demanding as anticipated. This influenced his decision to give Oliveanotherday another start before the Manikato Stakes.
The Manikato Stakes has been an early goal for the sprinter, with this year’s event scheduled for Caulfield instead of Moonee Valley.
“He pulled up well and the one benefit from being held-up first-up, it wasn’t a hard run,” Dabernig said.
“I thought if we went straight to the Manikato, it could be a week too long, plus I’m keen to try him down the straight at Flemington before Cup week and this is the ideal time.
“I didn’t want to go to the Manikato a little bit fresh, so at least this way it’s two weeks, two weeks, pretty simple, and hopefully this run will then bring him to his top.
“The 1200 metres, at Caulfield, he’s proven there, so it’s a target.”
Dabernig mentioned that there had been interest from slot holders for The Everest (1200m) at Randwick on October 17, both before and after Oliveanotherday’s initial victory this campaign.
“At this stage, the owner is saying ‘let’s reassess after this next start’,” Dabernig conveyed.
“He’s playing his cards close to his chest which is fine by me.
“The Manikato is three weeks before The Everest, plus there is the travel, so it’s doable, if that’s the way we decide to go.”
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