Voice Commander To Resume In Cameron
Story By Alex Steedman
Wednesday, 8 September 2010:  | | Voice Commander |
The Nick Olive-trained six-year-old will return from a lengthy spell in the Cameron Handicap prior to spending the rest of his campaign in Victoria.
Voice Commander resumes in the $150,000 Group 3 event off the back of a comfortable three-length trial win over 900m at Canberra on September 3 which pleased trainer Nick Olive prior to the geldings first up run on Wednesday.
“I'm really happy with the horse,” Olive said.
“The Cameron Handicap is going to be a good race. It might be a bit too strong for him first up but he'll go well in it and it will be a good starting point for him.”
“He will most likely go down to Victoria for his next start. There are a few country cups down there which he could have a chance of pulling off.”
While a definite campaign path is yet to be planned, Voice Commander could head toward the Group 2 Waterford Crystal Mile (1600m) at Moonee Valley on October 23.
“The Waterford Crystal Mile is still in the back of my mind," Olive said.
"He would have to be going very well to go in it but I would love to see him around the Valley.”
A dual stakes winner, both of Voice Commander's wins at this level in the Weetwood Handicap and Festival Stakes at Rosehill were recorded over distances of 1300m and 1500m respectively.
The gelding has recorded one victory over a mile when he won the Goulburn Cup in November 2008.
Although Voice Commander has previously been more suited to races under a mile, Olive believes the son of Commands can run a strong 1600m this campaign.
“I just think he is going to get the mile a lot stronger than he ever has before,” Olive said. “He gives me a feeling he is going to get that touch further this time in.
Olive expects Voice Commander could be joined in Newcastle by stablemates Grand Rhumba and Zaratone.
Both sprinters are coming off wins with Zaratone being the latest enjoying success in the $30,000 Tony Campbell Cup at Canberra's Thoroughbred Park on September 3.
“Grand Rhumba will go up for the 900m Hurricane Stakes and I'm thinking about taking Zaratone up on the Thursday for the Spring Country Cup,” Olive said.
Grand Rhumba last start broke through for an elusive city class win when he finished off strongly to record victory in a $27,000 no metro win event at the AJC's transferred meeting to Hawkesbury on August 24.
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