All roads lead to the Caulfield Cup for Single Gaze but her trainer Nick Olive is convinced his mare can finish in the top three in Sunday's Group I Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield.
Last season's Vinery Stud Stakes winner has not got near them in two Melbourne runs this campaign which kicked off when she ran 10th in the Group I Memsie Stakes (1400m) won by Vega Magic.
Olive said that was a "nothing run'' from his much-loved mare but insists she was much improved and strong on the line when beaten 5 lengths by Humidor in the Group I Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m).
Single Gaze is $18 in Sunday's Underwood Stakes where she will be suited by another step up in distance and finally drawing a good barrier.
Canberra trainer Olive concedes she may not be brilliant enough to beat Hartnell ($2 fav) but he is expecting to see a promising Caulfield Cup trial from his mare who will be ridden by regular partner Kathy O'Hara.
"I think she is a really nice place chance off a good gate and she will be grinding to the line strongly," Olive said.
"I think she was great behind Humidor last start, I think she was as strong as anything on the line with the exception of the winner.
"I reckon she will finish the race off really well and then people will be talking about her from a Caulfield Cup point of view."
Single Gaze is a $67 chance in Caulfield Cup markets and is expected to use the Group I Caulfield Stakes (2000m) on October 14 as a launching pad into the Cup.
"The Caulfield Cup is a big step from her Brisbane form in winter but I feel she is up to it – she wouldn't be here if I didn't think that," Olive said.
"Kathy is one of the real keys to this mare because she just doesn't run well for other riders for some reason.
"She has a fabulous relationship with the horse and hopefully they can chalk up another win together soon."
