Ollivici is back on the winning list

It was a relieved Chris Lang after his star trotter Ollivici (Orlando Vici) returned to the harness racing winner’s stall in the $24,000 City Of Melton Trotters Free For All at Melton. 

Ollivici, who hadn’t saluted since winning a heat of the Inter Dominion Trotting Championship last December, was a $2.80 second elect behind Im Ready Jet who was installed a $2.15 favorite. 

Lang wasted little time in urging Ollivici to the lead from his front row draw and ensured a genuine tempo before gaining a break on his rivals on straightening. 

Ollivici was untroubled to win by four metres from the rank outsider Aldebaran Keepa ($126) with the fast finishing Locksley Lover in third place. 

IMPRESSIVE!
Ollivici was dominant in victory tonight in the City Of Melton Trotters Free For All Chris Lang and Sonia Mahar. pic.twitter.com/Wg0ra0WEbU

— The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) April 13, 2024

Lang said he was under no illusions as to the magnitude of the task Ollivici had faced in recent months. 

“Obviously he’s been racing in the elite level against those four horses who ran last night in New Zealand who are the best in Australasia and any of those would have gone around $1.50 in this race tonight,” Lang said. 

Lang revealed Ollivici hadn’t raced at his best in recent outings. 

“He hasn’t been at his best and we’ve had a few issues with him which I think after the way he went tonight, I think we are starting to sort them out,” he said. 

“He’s been tying up, he’s always gone good fresh and I would say that when he was going rough at the end of his races that he was going through a bit of pain.” 

Lang indicated there are no ambitious plans in place for the son of Orlando Vici. 

“I would like to say that we’re aiming for an Inter Dominion but we are just taking it one week at a time,” he said. 

“We may head up to Sydney in the next month or so and see what’s up there.” 

Ollivic is prepared by Lang and Sonia Mahar and has now won 16 of his 39 starts for more than $230,000 in stake earnings. 

For complete race results, click here.

by John Dunne, for Harnesslink