Single Gaze tipped to produce strong Caulfield Cup trial

Ben Dorries - Friday September 29

All roads lead to the Caulfield Cup for Single Gaze but her trainer Nick Olive is convinced his mare can finish in the top three in Sunday's Group I Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield.

Advertisement
Single Gaze and her rider Kathy O'Hara are best buddies Photo: Steve Hart

Last season's Vinery Stud Stakes winner has not got near them in two Melbourne runs this campaign which kicked off when she ran 10th  in the Group I Memsie Stakes (1400m) won by Vega Magic.

Olive said that was a "nothing run'' from his much-loved mare but insists she was much improved and strong on the line when beaten 5 lengths by Humidor in the Group I Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m).

Single Gaze is $18 in Sunday's Underwood Stakes where she will be suited by another step up in distance and finally drawing a good barrier.

Canberra trainer Olive concedes she may not be brilliant enough to beat Hartnell ($2 fav) but he is expecting to see a promising Caulfield Cup trial from his mare who will be ridden by regular partner Kathy O'Hara.

"I think she is a really nice place chance off a good gate and she will be grinding to the line strongly," Olive said.

"I think she was great behind Humidor last start, I think she was as strong as anything on the line with the exception of the winner.

"I reckon she will finish the race off really well and then people will be talking about her from a Caulfield Cup point of view."

Single Gaze is a $67 chance in Caulfield Cup markets and is expected to use the Group I Caulfield Stakes (2000m) on October 14 as a launching pad into the Cup.

"The Caulfield Cup is a big step from her Brisbane form in winter but I feel she is up to it – she wouldn't be here if I didn't think that," Olive said.

"Kathy is one of the real keys to this mare because she just doesn't run well for other riders for some reason.

"She has a fabulous relationship with the horse and hopefully they can chalk up another win together soon."

Advertisment
More Reading...
Pedigree Potential –NZB Ready to Run – Nicks that Click
A quality packed catalogue for the 2025 NZB Ready to Run Sale is now online and in the lead up to the sale we’ll go looking each week for some horses of interest that jump out on pedigree for various reasons.
National Thoroughbred Week invites support through GoFundMe campaign
National Thoroughbred Week (NTW) is calling on the thoroughbred community and broader public to be part of history, with the launch of a GoFundMe campaign to help bring this inaugural celebration to life.
2025 G1 Caulfield Guineas Field and Barrier Draw
A full field plus emergencies have accepted for the $3million Group I MRC Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on Saturday with Golden Rose runners Wodeton, Autumn Boy, Nepotism and Rivellino all engaged.
Briasa Boost as More Youngsters Impress on HIT Sale Eve
The timing couldn’t be better for a sale page's pedigree boost, with Briasa announcing himself as one of Australia’s most exciting sprinters following his dominant victory in Saturday’s $1 million Group Two Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick.
Sword of State 2YO Ready for Debut
A pair of promising youngsters are set to make their debut for Cambridge trainer Chad Ormsby at Avondale on Wednesday, but track conditions may scupper plans for one of them.
Gimcrack Winner Bred By Cornerstone
THE "BACKSLAPPING" in the backwaters of the Barossa on Saturday afternoon, paled into insignificance when compared to the celebrations of the connections of SHIKI that won on debut!
MM Gold Coast Horses In Training Sale Links
Tuesday saw the final breeze ups at the Gold Coast for the Magic Millions Horses In Training Sale which starts on Thursday so here’s our links to useful data including the pinhook report, with most lots having been sold previously.
Wrote SW on Comeback Trail
Robbie Patterson had high Classic hopes for Read About It last season before his rising young star’s progress was halted by illness.
OTI Racing officially enters New Zealand market
OTI Racing is officially going trans-Tasman, with the Australian syndicator becoming a licensed New Zealand syndicator this week.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday October 7
Here is the full list of 25 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.