O’Hara can see stars align for Single Gaze
SHE might be riding a Caulfield Cup bolter but Kathy O’Hara retains a quiet air of confidence about her chances of creating racing history in the $3 million race tomorrow.
O’Hara is on Single Gaze in her attempt to become the first female jockey to win a Caulfield Cup, some 12 years after she had her only other ride in the famous race.
Single Gaze goes into the Cup after successive fourth placings in the Underwood Stakes and Caulfield Stakes.
The mare drops 4kg to just 53kg, the lightest weight she has shouldered in her 26-start career but remains largely ignored by bookmakers, with UBET rating her a $35 chance.
But O’Hara, 31, believes Single Gaze’s recent form indicates she will be competitive.
“Single Gaze’s last two runs have been super,’’ O’Hara said.
“Actually, all her runs this spring have been very good. She has kept improving with every start.
“She was run off her feet first-up, then she ran well in the Makybe Diva Stakes before her two good Caulfield efforts.
“I thought her fourth in the Caulfield Stakes last week was a top run for a horse getting ready for a 2400m race on the quick back-up.’’
O’Hara is one of two women riding in the 17-horse Cup with Katelyn Mallyon on Sir Isaac Newton, a $51 chance.
O’Hara, a two-time Group 1 winner including her success on Single Gaze in the Vinery Stud Stakes last year, was still a teenage apprentice when she had her last ride in a Caulfield Cup, finishing 17th on Wild Iris back in 2005.
But although the Caulfield Cup has a reputation of being a tough test of stamina, O’Hara feels Single Gaze will run a strong 2400m tomorrow.
“She is racing like a horse looking for 2400m now,’’ O’Hara said.
“In Brisbane over the winter she won up to 2200m. I don’t think the trip will be a problem for her.’’
Single Gaze is drawn out in barrier 12, which trainer Nick Olive believes will suit the mare.