A Broome Olive Branch For Sue
2 June, 2017
Thoroughbred
T
THOROUGHBRED
Sue Olive laughs off any suggestion that her foray into training is anything other than a part time exercise.
Olive will combine business with pleasure when she launches her training career at Broome’s season-opening meeting on Saturday.
For someone who only had a modest interest in racing several years ago, Olive and her husband Alan have had a big impact on WA racing.
After selling their family company Connector Drilling to the Ausdrill Group the Olive’s set up Gold Front Thoroughbred Breeding & Racing.
In a short amount of time Gold Front has developed into a state of the art thoroughbred centre that houses the largest stabling complex in Australia.
Just last November in the heart of the Melbourne spring carnival the Olives celebrated one of their biggest thrills when Awesome Rock, a horse they bred and part-own, took out the $2 million Emirates Stakes at Flemington.
Olive will saddle five runners at Broome with Thou Shall, Open Era, Danaura, Balrov and Tempered leading her contingent.
Olive says she is nervous, but excited as she embarks on the next phase of her racing education.
“This is purely and solely for Broome really,” Sue Olive said.
“My husband (Alan) loves coming up each and every year.
“He said why not one of us take out a trainer’s license and take a team.
“We can turn it into a holiday at the same time.
“It’s an opportunity of having fun with a couple of horses.
“I’m a little nervous, but also excited at the same time.”
Olive has been based in Broome for around two weeks preparing for the new season and says she already has a new found respect for the skills required to be a successful trainer.
“The hardest transition is doing all the thinking and planning on your own,” Olive said.
“You have to work out how much training is too much and when it’s not enough.
“There is a lot that goes into it and all the pressure sits on your shoulders.”
Olive believes she is in good shape to get off to a perfect start with Thou Shall in the first race and Balrov later in the fourth event.
Thou Shall is unplaced from two Sydney outings but warmed up for his Broome debut with a close second in a warm up trial.
The Commands gelding will have the run of the race from barrier two for jockey, Michael Heagney.
Balrov was a last-start winner at Kalgoorlie in October and is sure to attraction his share of support.
“I’m hoping to get my maiden Thou Shall across the line,” Olive said.
“He is full of himself so hopefully he can get across the line.
“And the other who I think will run well is Balrov.”
Julio Santarelli