Olivieri confident after Pinjarra hat trick

Oakford trainer Ross Olivieri has Sheer Rock Lady is sparkling harness racing form, and the four-year-old has bright prospects of winning the 2130m Play Magazine Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.

Sheer Rock Lady, to be driven by Shannon Suvaljko from the inside barrier on the back line, has won at Pinjarra at her past three starts when she has revealed excellent versatility and a splendid turn of foot.

“She will get around the smaller track at Gloucester Park; she has before,” said Olivieri. “She touches a knee and has special shoeing and races with go straights.

“The first of her thee recent Pinjarra wins was over 1684m when she ran a real good time (rating 1.55.7), and at her second start over the same distance she just dictated (in front) and ran no great time (rating 1.58.6) when she ran her last quarter in 26.5sec., showing that she possesses a bit of speed.

“Her latest win maybe was her best. She breezed on a day when there was a gale blowing down the back straight. It was a very strong sea breeze, and she held off a reasonably good horse (Classical Ellie) who was on her back and had done nothing. It looked like that horse was going to win, but Sheer Rock Lady wouldn’t let her pass her and won by a head, rating 1.57 over 2185m. The run was full of merit.”

Sheer Rock Lady is by Follow The Stars and is the second foal out of Sheer Rocknroll, who was trained throughout her 74-start career by Olivieri before being retired with earnings of $303,715 from 22 wins and 14 placings.

Sheer Rock Lady’s main rivals appear to be the polemarker Lenora Jane and easy last-start Pinjarra winner Vinita Rose, who will begin from barrier three on the front line and will be driven by her trainer Aldo Cortopassi.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Ken Casellas, for Gloucester Park