The $200,000 Group III MRC Heath Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on Saturday was chosen as the starting point for what could be a very big season for progressive sprinter Oliveanotherday and the son of Nicconi did not disappoint.
First up from a spell after ending last season with a win in the Listed Wangoom Handicap at Warrnambool, the Tom Dabernig trained four year-old was fit and ready to fire with punters sending him off as favourite.
Given a patient ride by Harry Coffey, Oliveanotherday travelled behind the speed on the fence after jumping from gate one, but there were anxious moment after turning for home when he was held up waiting for a run.
With 200m to run, Oliveanotherday took the split and surged clear to beat Bridal Falls by a length and a half.
Tom Dabernig was relieved after the win and has high hopes for Oliveanotherday going forward.
"You don't get your hands on these horses very often. We were a little bit concerned about barrier one and I was mindful, talking to Harry Coffey during the week, of not wanting to chase the speed and hold a the position and give him too hard a run,” he said.
“Turning for home when he was held up, we were all a bit tense. He's a horse that can quicken and get himself out of trouble in two or three strides and when he hit the front, I saw that Harry didn't have to use the whip all that much and was hands and heels and he won nicely.
"It's a great way to kick the preparation off and hopefully he can continue into the spring and take those next steps."
A homebred for co-owner Andrew Harrison, Oliveforanotherday has won six of eight starts earning over $400,000 in prizemoney with G1 racing now in his sights.
“He's a horse that does everything so easy. When he was going through the grades he was winning his races by good margins and in good times,” Dabernig added.
“I understand as we get deeper into the spring, it gets tougher, but now he's a lovely sound horse and the sky's the limit."
“The ultimate goal is to try and get him to a Group 1 in best possible shape and we might look at the Bobbie Lewis to give him a look at the straight at Flemington which might open up an option for Cup week.
"The goal at the moment would probably be the Manikato (G1). He's a very good Caulfield horse."
Oliveanotherday is the first foal of Olive, a placed half-sister by All Too Hard to Group III Stirling Grove from stakes-winner Kalamata.
He has a pedigree that will interest the pedigree gurus out there with both his sire Nicconi and dam Olive featuring lines of Danzig, Scenic and Bletchingly.
Olive was one of 51 mares covered by Nicconi last spring, so her owners will be hoping the same genetic magic cans trike twice.
Oliveanotherday looks a bright prospect for Nicconi, who is one of the best value sires in Victoria standing at Widden at a fee of $13,200.
