Single Gaze wins 2017 Group 2 PJ O’Shea Stakes
SINGLE Gaze has put in a gallant performance to claim the Group 2 PJ O’Shea Stakes (2200m) at Doomben on Queensland Oaks Day.
Ridden by Kathy O’Hara, Single Gaze began well from barrier three, but soon handed up the lead to Preferment, opting to sit outside the leader.
The four-year-old mare kept her position outside the leader throughout the run, assuming the lead at the top of the straight.
At that point, Single Gaze was joined by Cylinder Beach, however in a tragic turn of events the Desleigh Forster-trainer gelding broke down – quickly drifting back through the five-horse field.
The incident left Single Gaze as the clear leader, with the daughter of Not A Single Doubt and Redaluca’s Gaze kicking clear to defeat a fast-finishing Rudy.
High Church rounded out the trifecta ahead of Preferment, the 2014 Victorian Derby winner, which will now be retired to the breeding barn.
O’Hara was full of praise for the Nick Olive-trained Single Gaze after the race.
“She is my all time favourite – she leaves it all on the race track,” the NSW-based hoop said.
“She travelled up really strongly today – to Nick’s credit he has done a fantastic job and Billy [Owen – track rider] – he’s been with her the whole preparation here.
“They were nearly thinking about tipping her out after her last start but Billy said ‘no way she’s pulled up fantastic’ and she found a really suitable field here today.”
With mixed emotions after the race, Olive was pleased to have won the race, albeit in sad circumstances.
“You hate to see that happen in a race, especially a horse coming up to challenge her – I feel really sorry for the trainer and connections and all involved there,” Olive said.
“But we’ve won a group 2 and I suppose you have got to be positive about that.
“She has just got a heart of a tiger…I am just really proud of her.
“For a country trainer to get a horse of this quality – a horse that turns up every time, it’s a pretty rare thing – I don’t think I’ll get another one.”
Single Gaze has now won five races from 21 starts – her career earnings now in excess of $1.4 million.
Sadly, Cylinder Beach could not be saved.