Ollivici ready to build towards major features in 2025

Master horseman Chris Lang would love nothing more than to be in Sydney this weekend campaigning Ollivici in the Inter Dominion Trotting Championship Grand Final.

But instead, Lang and his harness racing stable’s pin-up horse will be at Melton Entertainment Park looking to build confidence as they head towards some of the big squaregaiting features of next year.

All going well in tomorrow evening’s Aldebaran Park Trotters Free For All, Lang is hoping to target the Maori Mile at Bendigo on January 4 and the Great Southern Star on February 1 en route to the 2025 Inter Dominion carnival in Queensland through July.

The Sunshine State has committed to hosting the sport’s iconic series for the next three years, with a range of changes to the format expected as well as increased prizemoney for both the pacing and trotting grand finals.

Lang, who won the Inter Dominion Trotting Championship Grand Final as a trainer with Galleons Sunset (2008) and Sundons Gift (2009 and 2010) as trainer-driver, said Ollivici had been bothered by some niggling issues after his last-start second in early November.

“He didn’t pull up that good, so we needed to do a little bit of vet work basically,” Lang said.

”He trialed Tuesday and went well, so that run should have topped him off.

“I probably have a slight advantage over Lovemeto at the barrier draws… He’s obviously in form, going good and is not to be taken lightly.”

Ollivici is a winner of 18 of 48 career starts for stake earnings over $290,000.

The Aldebaran Park Trotters Free For All is race four on tomorrow night’s card and is set to go at 7.44pm.

by Tim O’Connor, for Harness Racing Victoria