When the three-year-old trotting fillies step in behind the starting gate at Grand River Raceway on Friday evening Keith Oliver does not expect to be sitting behind the fan favourite for the $130,000 Gold Final
, but the reinsman does expect Simply Stirling to deliver the consistent, concerted effort that has been her hallmark for two seasons.
"She's good - good mannered, good filly, solid gaited," says Oliver, who has teamed Simply Stirling in 10 of her 12 sophomore starts. "She's a very consistent filly."
Last week at Grand River the consistent Simply Stirling earned her second Gold Elimination trophy of the season, taking full advantage of an early miscue by division heavyweight Elusive Desire. Oliver and the Mr Lavec daughter cruised home two lengths ahead of runner-up Novelty AS in the 1:59.2 effort to boost the filly's sophomore record to four wins, two seconds and earnings of $81,630.
Campbellville resident Roy Jeffries bred, owns and trains Simply Stirling, the third foal from his former race mare Khaz Mcdust. Last season Jeffries retained control of the lines on the filly, teaming her to a record of three wins, one second and two thirds in eight provincial starts for earnings of $43,400. Among her Grassroots victories was a 2:05 score at Grand River in September.
"I think maybe me and her owner are the only two that have ever driven her," notes Oliver. "She has her little quirks about her."
Oliver's primary concern on Grand River Raceway's half-mile oval is the relative proximity to the horses of things like water trucks. The Lynden resident has to be careful to give oncoming motor traffic a wide berth.
"The toughest part is parading her around water trucks. On the smaller track she gets a little nervous around them, but as long as you keep her away from them she's okay," Oliver explains.
The reinsman says that once the starter calls the field to the gate, Simply Stirling is all business and becomes effortless to drive. All four of her victories have come by different means, giving Oliver endless options once the wings fold.
"I've raced her off the front and I've raced her from behind. She can do it any which way you like her to," says Oliver, who will send the filly off the gate from Post 4 in Friday's $130,000 Gold Final.
"It's not a bad place," says the driver of Post 4. "There are a couple of good ones inside of me, it might set up so I get a chance to follow them."
Among the fillies who will start on Oliver's left is the other elimination winner, Cuddler, who will be looking to match or better the 1:58.1 track record she set last week. Mario Baillargeon will steer Cuddler after her second straight Gold Final victory from Post 3.
The other filly Oliver will have his eye on is Ill Wait For You, who has been a regular top three finisher in provincial action this season and will start from Post 2 on Friday.
All eight fillies will be aiming for the lion's share of the $130,000 Gold Final, the fourth on their sophomore calendar, but Oliver would love to see Simply Stirling emerge victorious.
"It's nice to see the smaller guy, that owns them himself, do some good," says the horseman. "When Roy wins he really appreciates it; it's nice to see that in this business."
Post time for Friday night's program of racing at Grand River Raceway is 6:31 pm, with the three-year-old trotting fillies squaring off in Race 9.
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