Double Expresso Back For Another Shot
Forgotten mare Double Expresso is set to make her long awaited return from injury at Gloucester Park this Saturday, after impressing trainer Ross Olivieri at recent trial performances.
The mare has been sidelined for more than 12 months with bruising and erosion on her left hind fetlock joint and was only given a 50 per cent chance of returning to the track.
The two-time Group 1 winner trialled at Pinjarra on each of the last three Wednesday’s and Olivieri said her efforts warranted her return to the track this week.
“In the first trial she went 1.58, then we pushed her out in the second trial, and she went 1.56,” Olivieri told The Trots WA.
“The third trial was an easy one and we figured she’s ready to go.
“We are pretty happy with her, but comebacks are never easy.”
The four-year-old hasn’t started since July last year, which ended a campaign that included wins in the Caduceus Club Classic (2130m) and Dainty’s Daughter Classic (2130m).
Olivieri said he hoped Double Expresso would get back to her Group 1 winning best but wouldn’t take any risks with her.
“I won’t race her unless she’s okay,” he said.
“If it looks like it’s affecting her then she will go to stud because we are looking forward to breeding from her.
“She was the best in an outstanding crop of fillies in her two and three-year-old seasons, which is a feather in her cap.”
Meanwhile, Olivieri said he would consider starting Thats Perfect in Friday week’s Navy Cup (2130m) at Gloucester Park, following his first-up third in last week’s York Cup (2130m).
The six-year-old hit the line strongly behind star four-year-old pair Magnificent Storm and Minstrel in the $30,000 feature and looks set to be a regular player in the Free-For-All ranks.
Thats Perfect looks set to fill the void left by Bunbury Cup winner Major Times, who was retired after his most last start on July 30.
The six-year-old notched up three wins from 11 starts, all at FFA level, in his short stint in WA.
Olivieri’s other key FFA contender Perfect Major is having a short break, before he returns for the Fremantle and WA Pacing Cups early next year.
Image – Hamilton Content Creators
Tim Walker
WATCH – Double Expresso’s trial from September 1