Around the traps....

Farewell tour for the G.O.A.T

Few could argue that Damien Oliver will go down in history as the the best to do it. His record speaks for itself with 129 Group 1 victories to his name, and incredibly he had already amassed 18 Group 1 victories by the time he completed his apprenticeship in 1993. He arrived on the scene from W.A, went straight to the Freedman's, and hasn't looked back for the last 30 years.

Oliver announced his retirement this week and in true Olly style, he will continue to ride through the Melbourne Spring Carnival and finish up in Western Australia forthe summer carnival, where it all began all those years ago.  

While Olly didn't ride a heap of horses for us, we were introduced to him more when we began working with Mick Price, who has had a very successful run with him. Damien rode Anjana to a stakes win down the Flemington straight for us along with He'll Haunt Us, winning the Magic Millions maiden and the Group 3  Zedative Stakes at Caulfield. 

English Gambler went to Te Rapa on Saturday and did what he does best, go the front, jump and win! It's all or nothing for this bloke and the secret on Saturday was the firmer ground. Jockey Hamish McNeil said he loved it out there in the Open Hurdle over 3200m. He is now on track for the Great Northern Hurdle over 4190m worth over $125K in prizemoney in a few weeks.

Clovelly went to Doomben on Saturday in a Class 3 over 1050m and nothing went right for our mare. She jumped well from the gates but the rider took a hold too quickly and instead of box seating, she was back and in a awkward position. In the straight she was held up and didn't get clear air until it was all over. Forget run she is better than that! 

Rebel Love went to Nowra on Sunday and the race turned out to be quite hot with a couple of nicely bred horses from top stables. She was beaten by 4 lengths and as Matt Smith eluded to, the 1100m was probably too far for her and she tired late. We will look to drop her back to 1000m next time out and hope we can get that elusive win we are looking for.

Checkendon went around at Pakenham synthetic on Monday and he went terrible again after working the house down in his work leading up to the race. Post race told the tale and he has had a bleed and a very slow recovery which explains why he hasn't gone well this preparation. No choice now but to give him a  spell and bring him back in autumn. 

Crown Waters went around at Sandown on Wednesday. She got stuck in the inferior ground and never really travelled well enough. It was a big step up for her with some nice 3YO's in the race. She still hasn't furnished fully and we don't want to push her along too much this time around. As a result she will head off for a nice spring break and come back in the autumn. 

Motitsi went to Bendigo on Thursday in a very strong BM64 over 1000m and not much went right for her. Off a hot speed she just got a bit too far out of her ground and copped a couple of bad checks entering the straight, and again when she was trying to wind up with her run. Jockey, Beau Mertens commented that she had no luck and to forget she went around today. 

Crux also went to Bendigo on Thursday and unfortunately for jockey Tatum Bull it was a ride to forget. He jumped slowly and worked into the race, but staying to the inside coming around the turn meant there was nowhere to go and all she saw down the long Bendigo straight were backsides. It was still an encouraging run and we will get him home and decide where to go next with him but 2000m will now be the goal. 

Tymon goes to Pakenham Synthetic tonight over 1400m. It looks like a tough race to assess as there are a couple of first starters but on exposed form he looks like a good chance. Beau Mertens takes the ride from the wide gate and with blinkers first time we are hoping he can finish off strongly and be finishing in the money. 

Presser has had a little freshen up and heads to Caulfield on Saturday for the BM78 over 1400m. His last run at Flemington was great and from the good gate Dec Bates can be positive and be in the first half of the field. Our long range plan is the country championships and this is a stepping stone for that. Hopefully he gets luck in running and he will be hard to beat. 

Hedged follows up his impressive win at Seymour last start and will be thrown in the deep end at Caulfield in the Gr.3 McNeil Stakes. He has drawn well in 3 and Beau Mertens will have plenty of options to ride him where he is comfortable, and with fitness on his side let's hope he is bobbing his head out at the right time. 

Minesite is ready to debut for Andrew Bobbin at Warracknabeal on Saturday in a maiden over 1200m with Will Gordon in the saddle. He has drawn in the middle of the field in barrier 5 and we know that you need to sit handy to be competitive on this track. His last trial at Stawell was very good and he is fit and ready to go. 

On Bail is resuming for Paul Preusker at Warracknabeal in a 1600m BM58 with Ryan Houston to take the ride. This horse is building a fitness base for jumps racing next season and Paul is endeavouring to stretch him out over 2400m and beyond this preparation. We aren't expecting too much of him for at least his first few runs. 

On Sunday we are heading to the Sunny Coast with Headlock in a Class 1 over 1400m. It looks a nice race for this bloke after he won his maiden impressively a couple of weeks ago. Trainer, Tony Gollan is really happy with his progression and while he has drawn a little wide it might help him wind up down the straight. We think he has a really nice chance in this race.  

Keefneedsafeed makes his debut for a new trainer. Maddie Raymond at Warrnambool on Sunday. He has drawn ok in barrier 7 and jockey, Linda Meech is very good at rating them on pace which is his preferred racing pattern. We are hoping the change of environment for Keefy is just the tonic to get him back in the winners circle this prep. 

Rebel Love will be on the quick back up this week where she heads to Queanbeyan for a 1000m maiden on Monday. She is the 5th emergency but has drawn well in barrier 5 so hopefully we get a few scratchings and she can sneak in the field. As stated above, the 1100m was a touch too far last time out so let's hope she can run well if she gets a run.  

Get In The Queue, your guess is as good as ours as to how this bloke is going to go. Scratchcard on race morning last time out, let's hope he minds his manners, goes in the barriers, jumps, and shows everyone how much ability he really has. He is nominated for the BM58 over 1400m and Lindsey Smith couldn't be happier with how well he is going. 

Back to Queensland next Wednesday and we have Sacred Feeling nominated for a Class 1 over 1800m. She is fit and well after her win  second up and she will be very hard to beat. Trainer, Tony Gollan couldn't be happier with her and Ben Thompson takes the ride again. She will probably be our best for the week.