When a trainer says his horse is “really good, fantastic” he’s either the supreme optimist or it’s a true sign of the horses well-being.
In the case of Canberra trainer Nick Olive, the latter is more appropriate.
Olive is rapt in the progress of Without A Shadow who is scheduled to tackle Friday’s $100,000 SERA Country Championships Qualifier (1400m) at Goulburn. It’s a crackerjack field make no bones about it with depth from top to bottom.
Olive is not a boastful trainer, far from it but as a talented horseman he knows where his horse is at and the five-time winning four-year-old mare by Not A Single Doubt has ticked all the right boxes in Olive’s mind.
The Country Championship Qualifier has been on Without A Shadow’s agenda for many months. Olive actually booked Sydney jockey Tye Angland for the mount two months back.
Olive was hoping to have a two pronged attack on the event but The Waco Kid was balloted out and failed to gain a start.
In Without A Shadow however, Olive has one serious contender for the top honours.
“I’m probably as happy as I’ve ever been with her,” Olive said. “She’s really good, fantastic.
“She had a good gallop Saturday morning and has ticked over well since then.
“After her spell this time she’s matured, strengthened up in the body and is thicker set.
“It’s a very strong heat Friday with a lot of depth but I’m more than happy with my mare.
“Everyone, all the local syndicate of owners that race her are very excited. So am I.
“I can’t wait to see the race. I’m looking forward to it. It should be a great race.”
Without A Shadow resumed from a 114-day spell with a solid four lengths fourth to Snippets Land in the Listed National Sprint (1400m) at Canberra on March 8.
The mare was never on the track yet kept coming right to the line.
“I didn’t have her screwed right down first-up. I used it as a platform for the Championships,” Olive said. “She was never on the track and I thought she performed really well.
“She’s pulled up great and I’ve been happy with her since.
“Her best attribute is she flattens right out at the finish. She’s got a beautiful long stride.
“It’s a tough race but I think she’s in it up to her ears.”
