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Oliver Winkle's blistering win may earn him trip to Sydney

6 June 2019

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By Duane Ranger

A blistering 1:51.4 mile rate win at Albion Park last Saturday night might have been enough for Oliver Winkle to earn a trip to Tabcorp Park Menangle later this month.

Logan Village trainer, Errol Cain, is more than toying with the idea.

“If he can go that sort of time at Albion Park, then I’m sure he can go faster on the big, roomy track in Sydney. Leonard (son) is based down there now with Noel Daley now, and he’s been crying out for me to send Oliver Winkle down there," he said.

“It’s likely to happen, especially after what I saw last Saturday. That was quite a pleasant surprise."

Oliver winkle's 1660m win (1:55 even) last Saturday was the performance of the night. As driver Paul Diebert put it: "We were low flying."

The 6-year-old Art Official gelding started from gate three in the $13,000 JLL qualifying Pace.

He led early but the hot favourite, Vasari, went around and reclaimed the pace just before the bell. That move ensured a slashing 26.6 first quarter.

Then in the lane Oliver Winkle slipped past Vasari to win by 2.1 metres. His final three sectionals were 28.5, 28 flat and 28.4.

It was his 14th win in 118 starts. He's also placed 34 times and banked $82,727.

That mile rate was easily his quickest and exactly one second outside Im Themightyquinn's track record.

"I knew Vasari had a bit of a reputation and to go past him like he did was quite pleasing. It made me sit up and think perhaps I should send this fella down to Leonard," Cain said.

He said when he got Oliver Winkle he had just been broken in but no-one really wanted to train him.

"The Bahr family bred him and I leased him from them and brought him up here from Beau Desert. He’s got better with age but I can’t take the credit for him lately. My daughter Alexandra has been brilliant with him. All the accolades should go to her. She is so good with cast-offs,” Cain said.

Oliver Winkle had his first race for Cain at Redcliffe on July 1, 2015. He said the bay had come through his last race well, and it was likely he would now head south to New South Wales.

"We will see how he goes down there and then possibly bring him back for the Winter Carnival. There's a few things to be sorted yet but at this stage the trip looks on," said Cain.

Cain has never campaigned a horse at Menangle before but remembers the days when he took horses south to the former Harold Park.

"I remember taking the black gelding, Black Bayou to Harold Park in the early 1980s. I also took Town Rule to New Zealand (Christchurch) for the Interdominions one year, and he finished third in a heat.

"It makes sense to try out Menangle, not only because Leonard is there but the stakes are so good, and the track will suit the horse. He's quite capable," Cain said.