Olivia Rose keeping Steve on his toes

While Victorian harness racing trainer Steven Zammit is thoroughly enjoying the success of his stable pin-up girl, he’s quick to admit she’s also the most challenging horse he’s ever trained.

“I’ve just got to be so careful – every day she comes up with a new way to try and kill me!” said Zammit, who trains at Coimadai, just a stone’s throw from the Melton track.

“My approach is that I’ve got to work with her and let her think she’s the boss – it’s impossible to make her do anything.”

Patience and persistence are paying off for Zammit, with four-year-old Olivia Rose (Rocknroll Dance) enjoying a standout season.

She’s racked up five wins and three second placings so far this year, including victories at her two most recent starts.

“I’m hoping it comes down to a bit of maturity because she’s actually been improving with every start,” he said.

“Olivia Rose is named after my brother Robbie’s daughter — they were both born around the same time. They live at Spotswood but they rarely miss watching the horse race.”

Zammit said Olivia Rose will line up again at Geelong this Friday (June 27). See the full fields here: 

“She will probably go out for a spell soon. I reckon she’s earnt it.”

The talented mare is the fourth foal out of former consistent racemare Awesome Mattjesty (Royal Mattjesty). Her siblings include Wunderland (Western Terror), a six-time race winner, and Speedy Healey (Soho Tribeca), a promising type with one win and six placings to date.

“I’m working a team of five at the moment, and Speedy Healey will be okay when he puts it all together,” Zammit said.

Harness racing has always been in Zammit’s blood, and over the years he’s prepared some outstanding performers.

Among his career highlights are Gumdrops, winner of the $100,000 Queen of the Pacific in 2014, and Platinum Power, who amassed more than $106,000 in stakes and took out the Empire 4YO Mares Silver Listed Classic eight years ago.

“My dad John, who just retired and comes out to give us a hand, had an uncle, Fort Zammit, who got involved in the sport years ago,” he said.

“All the family now enjoy the horses, particularly my partner Shannon and her girls.”

Zammit said he was also pleased with the job young reinsman Blake Pace is doing with Olivia Rose.

“We’ve known the Pace family for years and we’re really happy with Blake. He listens to everything you say and is getting on well with the horse at the races.”

From Terry Gange for Harnesslink