A winter carnival campaign in Queensland might prove to be the making of Voice Commander who will have his first start of the new season at Randwick on Saturday.Trainer Nick Olive says he has noticed a change in the gelding's behaviour since he returned to Canberra from a three-start Queensland preparation which culminated in his Listed Weetwood Handicap victory at Toowoomba on July 11."I've really noticed it since he's been home," Olive said."It can be hard to tell in a different environment bu
A winter carnival campaign in Queensland might prove to be the making of Voice Commander who will have his first start of the new season at Randwick on Saturday.
Trainer Nick Olive says he has noticed a change in the gelding's behaviour since he returned to Canberra from a three-start Queensland preparation which culminated in his Listed Weetwood Handicap victory at Toowoomba on July 11.
"I've really noticed it since he's been home," Olive said.
"It can be hard to tell in a different environment but in his home environment he seems to be doing better than he's ever done.
"His work is great and while before he'd have a gallop and leave a bit of feed, now he's thriving."
Voice Commander is a dual Listed winner having claimed the Festival Stakes at Rosehill in December last year.
Olive took him to the Gold Coast for the Magic Millions Cup in January and he was far from disgraced, finishing a close third to Masai Pride and subsequent Stradbroke Handicap winner Black Piranha.
His Weetwood win followed two frustrating runs in Queensland including a third to Mitanni in the Listed Eye Liner Stakes (1350m) at Ipswich in June when Voice Commander had no luck from his outside draw in the field of 18.
"I was more relieved than anything," Olive said of Voice Commander's Weetwood success.
"He was going well enough to be competitive in all those races there but just didn't have any luck.
"Thankfully he finally got it in the Weetwood.
"He had a week in the paddock in Queensland after that then came home and he's been in work here since."
Voice Commander has again fared poorly in the barrier draw for Saturday's The Kay Sprint (1200m) and will have to overcome the outside gate in the field of 14.
He will also have to shoulder 58kg after Olive elected to stick with regular rider Tye Angland rather than utilise the claim of an apprentice.
Angland has been aboard the gelding in five of his seven wins, including his Weetwood and Festival Stakes victories.
Voice Commander has won up to 1600 metres and Olive concedes the 1200 metres of Saturday's assignment is short of his best distance but still expects his charge to be very competitive.
"He'll definitely run a good race," he said.
"The 1200 isn't his best distance, if it was 1300 he'd be a lot more competitive, but he'll be right there.
"We'll see how he goes on Saturday and then make a decision on what we do but there are options in Sydney and Melbourne."