By Eamonn tiernan
Two of Canberra's champion mares will come head-to-head in Brisbane on Saturday as Single Gaze and Maryore race in Doomben's Mandate Tails Stakes.
Single Gaze is kicking off a bumper winter campaign in Queensland and despite dropping back in trip will start the 1600m race favourite, with trainer Nick Olive declaring her in career-best condition.
Single Gaze is kicking off a bumper winter campaign in Queensland on Saturday with trainer Nick Olive (pictured) declaring her in career-best condition.Credit: Jamila Toderas
"She couldn't be better, the best we've ever had her," Olive said.
This preparation Single Gaze has finished unplaced in the group two Millie Fox Stakes and group one Coolmore Classic, before running third in the group three Neville Sellwood Stakes on March 25.
"I really want to see her put the writing on the wall on Saturday because she will be stepping up in class over the carnival and I think she will improve after the run, but want to see her run a nice race," Olive said.
"We've got a few races in mind if everything goes to plan, we'll move on to the Hollindale Stakes at the Gold Coast in two weeks then two weeks after that the Doomben Cup which is a group one."
Jockey Kathy O'Hara has made the trip north and will jump from barrier nine on the champion mare which cost $70,000 but has netted more than $1 million in prize money.
"It's a little bit of an awkward draw but I think she'll be fine on a good track, I'm pumped and excited for the race and it's great to have her back to her best," Olive said.
Maryore will look to build on her breakout win at the Provincial Championships in Sydney earlier this month with Philip Courtney tipping another boilover.
"She's pulled up excellent, she improved off the run so we thought we'd give it a shot at the bigger races and see if we can get some black type on her pay," Courtney said.
"After the provincial her benchmark went up quite high and there wasn't a suitable race over the distance in NSW so we thought we'd bring her up here and try her in listed company.
"We drew barrier one which I'm happy with and Michael [Cahill] has ridden her the past two mornings and looked good, so I'd like to to think we can get a result."
The Canberra trainers and friends said if they're not in the money at the turn they'll be gunning for each other.
"The horses came up on the same truck and are in the same stables, it would be great for Canberra to run one-two," Courtney said.
"I'd be be happy for either horse to win but Single Gaze is the favourite and should be, she's a group one winner who will be hard to beat."
Olive found a winner at Canberra racing on Friday with Lord Denman saluting in race three, while Barb Jospeh and Joe Cleary both have runners at Queanbeyan on Saturday.