3 minute read
Change of tact with son of Declaration of War.
Annabel Neasham has noticed a subtle shift in European import Olmedo (Declaration Of War) this campaign and it has prompted her to adopt fresh tactics.
Winner of the Poule d'Essai des Poulains (Gr 1, 1600m) in 2018, the six-year-old has had five Australian starts over similar distances, his best performances a close-up sixth in the Cantala Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) last spring when prepared by Chris Waller, and a last-start win in the Tails Stakes (Listed, 1630m) at Doomben for Neasham.
He has since been given a barrier trial to keep him up to the mark and his performance in that, combined with the nature of his victory in the Tails Stakes, have convinced Neasham to try him over a shorter trip in the BRC Sprint (Gr 3, 1350m) at Doomben on Saturday.
"We decided just off visually watching that (win), it would have been easier to watch over a shorter trip, so we're coming back to the 1350," Neasham said.
"I'd have to go right back through his French form but I'm pretty sure it's the shortest trip he has ever run over.
"He just seems to have sharpened up. He was very sharp in his trial last week and I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do coming back in trip because it will open up the door maybe to a Stradbroke."
Ryan Maloney keeps the ride on Olmedo at Doomben where he has 14 rivals, including last year's All Aged Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) winner Tofane (Ocean Park) and Godolphin's Ranier (Lonhro) while the Nick Ryan-trained Sircconi (Nicconi) lines up in the race ahead of a tilt at the Stradbroke Handicap (Gr 1, 1400m) on June 12.
The son of Nicconi (Bianconi) comes into Saturday's race having finished a first-up sixth at Sandown over 1300 metres on May 1.
"He's second-up and he's certainly come on a lot from his run at Sandown but there is still a little bit more improvement in him," Ryan told Racing.com
"He's drawn a very good barrier (two) with Nash Rawiller to ride so, in a very strong race, I think he'll run well.
"I came back (from the Gold Coast) last night and was up there to gallop him Tuesday on the course proper at the Gold Coast and he worked terrific and the same again on Thursday when he did a little piece of work."
