Single Gaze wins G3 Kembla Grange Classic
Single Gaze has erased the only doubt Nick Olive might have ever had about the diminutive filly with a brave win in the Kembla Grange Classic.
“I wanted to get her out to a mile to see where we go next and it looks like now we’ll be heading to the Vinery (Stud Stakes),” Olive said.
Single Gaze has often been the bridesmaid since she opened her racing career with a metropolitan two-year-old win in late 2014.
So much so, her win over Friday’s Group Three field was only the second of a 12-start career.
But it’s been a profitable journey in between for her syndicate of owners who paid $70,000 for Single Gaze at the Magic Millions yearling sales.
Thanks largely to placings in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic and Magic Millions Guineas, Single Gaze has now banked more than $870,000.
“I know she hasn’t won since her first start but there is some massive form around her with some good horses finishing behind her,” Olive said.
“She has never let us down and I’m so proud of her. Every time she races she just tries her out.”
Racing at 1600m for the first time, it took a precise ride from Kathy O’Hara to get Single Gaze ($4.80) home by three-quarters of a length from Dixie Blossoms ($9.50).
Making it back-to-back wins in the race, O’Hara had Single Gaze tucked into a perfect trail before she launched her claim before the turn.
Single Gaze reached the lead at the 300m but her advantage seemed certain to be short-lived when Dixie Blossoms came at her strongly.
Yet when it mattered, Single Gaze responded with her usual determination to confirm O’Hara’s confidence in her over the distance to draw away from Dixie Blossoms with Asinara ($3.30) a half length away third.
“I wasn’t worried about her getting the mile because she always given me the indication she would run it,” O’Hara said.
A 2000m lead-up race to ATC Australian Oaks, the Group One Vinery Stud Stakes will be run at Rosehill on March 26.
“All I can hope for now is that she pulls up well and we can press on to the Vinery,” Olive said.
Unplaced favourite Honesta is heading to the same race where with trainer John Thompson expecting the filly to come into her own over an extra 400m.