Ross Olivieri - trainer of Chief Thundercloud
Oakford trainer Ross Olivieri describes the lightly-raced seven-year-old Chief Thundercloud as “tough as old boots” and as one of the State’s most consistent pacers. And he declares the New Zealand-bred gelding a major chance in the $22,500 Garrards Horse And Hound BOTRA Cup at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Chief Thundercloud, to be driven by champion reinsmen Chris Lewis, certainly has the ability to overcome the 20m handicap and win the 2503m standing-start feature event.
Lewis has already won the BOTRA Cup a record four times, having scored with Village Kid (1985), Elteei (1986), Mach Ruler (2009) and Tartary Gladiator (2011). The closest Olivieri has come to winning the race was in 2010 when Lewis drove 7/2 chance Jordangarry, who set the pace and finished a close second to Albert Jaccka.
The BOTRA Cup has been run over 2902m in the past four years after being decided over 2503m the two previous years.
Olivieri is impressed with Chief Thundercloud’s staying ability and he said that the gelding is being set for the 3309m Marathon Handicap on August 14.
Chief Thundercloud, a standing-start specialist, has raced 41 times for ten wins, 13 seconds and four thirds and his recent form is excellent, with his past four starts producing splendid seconds to The Bucket List, Pembrook Henry and Classic American and a thrilling victory over Classic American.
At his latest appearance, over 2503m at Gloucester Park last Friday week, Chief Thundercloud worked hard in the breeze and finished second to Classic American.
Olivieri said that much would depend on Chief Thundercloud beginning smartly from the 20m mark. “If he gets a good jump, which he’s been doing well lately, and if some of the others don’t get a good jump, he’ll penetrate the line in front of him.”
Chief Thundercloud’s main rivals appear to be classy four-year-olds Classic American and Elegant Christian, who are prepared by leading trainer Gary Hall sen. Gary Hall jun. will drive Classic American, who will share the back mark of 20m with Chief Thundercloud, while Clint Hall will be in the sulky behind Elegant Christian, who will share the 10m mark with Pembrook Henry, a stablemate of Chief Thundercloud, and the Bruce Hawkins-trained Danieljohn, who has won off back marks at three of his past six starts.
Danieljohn started off 50m and sustained a powerful burst from the rear to win over 2503m at Gloucester Park on Tuesday night. However, he meets far stronger opposition in the BOTRA Cup.
Hall sen. will be looking for Classic American (who burst back to his best form with a most impressive victory last Friday week,) or Elegant Christian to give him his third success in the BOTRA Cup, after victories with Spirit of Shard in 2008 and Albert Jaccka in 2010.
