Pixie Rose has been a real surprise packet this year and she is set to put her rivals to the test again in the Riverina Co-Operative Benchmark 60 (1000m) at Wagga on Monday.
The mare arrived at the stables of trainer Nick Olive with eight starts to her name without a win and since then has kept stepping up to the mark with a string of consistent performances.
The six-year-old again won first-up at the Sapphire Coast after a 31 week break and has put together form of 2-1-3-1 since.
Olive said the key to Pixie Rose had been no fast work and compensating with work in the swimming pool and the tread mill.“We had a plan to buy a few horses, try and win a race or two with them then sell them on,” Olive said.
“She has been going that well we have kept her and she has more wins left in her still.”That could come as soon as Monday as Olive feels the mare is right at the top of her game.
Queanbeyan apprentice jockey Jason Devriomol has a strong affinity with Pixie Rose having ridden her five times for three wins.He isn’t riding on Monday and has been replaced by Brock Ryan who rode two winners at Hawkesbury on Saturday.
Olive will also be represented in the race by Rhomlo who has won two of his three starts this campaign.“I think he will be very hard to beat – he is going really well,” Olive said.
Pixie Rose only cost $2500 and has returned close to $40,000 making her something of a stable favourite.“She has a few issues and only gallops on race days. It’s a matter of keeping her happy and right and it has worked so far,” he said.
Olive will also saddle up Lord Denman who ran a strong third on debut at Canberra and has the advantage of the inside draw.Another feature is the James Green Memorial Silver Spoon which is restricted to grey horses and has drawn a field of seven.
Drunk On A Place is the early favourite after a solid third at Wagga last week.The track is rated a Good 4 for the seven race program.
