BEST OF DAYS EXECUTES THE PERFECT GAMEPLAN TO TAKE OUT THE GROUP 3 TS CARLYTON CUP

By Graham Potter | Saturday, February 6, 2021

Best Of Days and Damien Oliver worked together and executed a perfect game-plan which helped carry them to victory in the Group 3 TS Carlyton Cup at Caulfield.

Step 1 was Oliver’s urging of Best Of Days out from his wide draw to look for the leading line. The was no rush in that, just a measured push forward which ultimately saw the seven-year-old settle at the head of affairs.

Step 2 was for Best Of Days to come back to Oliver in the middle stages of the race, taking all of the pace out of the race, which gave Best Of Days a soft led.

Step 3 was the kick for home in the straight, starting from a position of strength and cementing Best Of Day’s advantage in a manner which made it very difficult for anyone to run him down.

Step 4 was to hit the line in front. Mission accomplished!

Best Of days provided the Godolphin /James Cummings stable with a double on the day.

“It wasn’t really the plan to lead,” explained Oliver. ‘It was one of the thoughts.

“I spoke to James (Cummings) this morning. We wanted to ride him forward, but I thought there may not be a spot for him to get in, so I asked for the option to take it up if it came to that. James said … ‘you’re on him … you know what you are doing,’ … so that’s what we did.

“We got into a good rhythm. Coming to the turn I knew I had had it pretty easy and that he had a bit to give, so when he gave a good kick on the bend he was going to take some running down.

“He is a lovely horse to ride. It was the first time I sat on him. Really well placed by James and the Godolphin team.

“It is a pleasure to ride for them when they bring horses down for these sort of races.”