Selwyn_Times: December 07, 2022

Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
Wednesday December 7 2022 Selwyn Times
RACING 33
Strong run gets Thornley first Group One win
• By Michael Guerin
DRIVER OLIVIA Thornley
spent much of Sunday’s $175,000
IRT New Zealand Oaks
worrying that the tactic she
thought up to win the race may
actually end up costing her it.
But the yet-untapped ability of
No Matter Wat was enough to
overcome her fierce pulling and
provide the popular Thornley
with the first Group One victory
of her driving career.
No Matter Wat went into
the Oaks a big improver after a
stunning third in the lead-up last
Friday week but while Thornley
hoped she could win she thought
a top three finish would be a
great result so set about putting
No Matter Wat’s mind on the
job.
“After she galloped away last
week I gave her a real rouse up in
the prelim to get her mind on the
job,” the Prebbleton 22-year-old
said.
“The problem was it worked
too well and she thought she had
to go like that the whole race.
“I was really happy to get her
off the gate so well and get the
front but when she kept going
and wouldn’t really come back to
me I started to worry.
“So I tried to control her and
keep her from choking down but
then later she started to get some
of her Harry Houdini steps going
and I thought she might break.
“After all of that to get her
home was such a relief but also
an amazing buzz.
“This is why we are in the
industry to try and get wins at
this level so to break through is a
wonderful feeling.
“And I have had so many
people contact me, my phone has
been blowing up after so that’s
really great to have that support.”
No Matter Wat held out the
passing lane surge of Obsession
with favourite True Fantasy third
after sitting parked in the 1:56.8
mile rate for the 2600m.
Thornley has been making
a name for herself as a driver
for the last two years but it is as
one of the head staff at All Stars
stable in Rolleston and a constant
travelling companion for
their elite horses that she is most
recognised.
HAPPY:
Olivia
Thornley
brings No
Matter Wat
back to the
winner’s
circle after
Sunday’s
New
Zealand
Oaks at
Addington.
Go back through the footage
or files of recent Group One
winners in New Zealand and
you will see plenty of Thornley’s
trademark smile helping some
of our best horses back to the
stables.
“I have been there (All Stars)
seven years at Christmas, I
started when I was 15,” she said.
“They have been very good to
me and I am learning so much
and I realise the great opportunities
I get. So to get that Group
One for everybody else at the
stables and the owners as well
feels good.”
It isn’t just driving that interests
Thornley heading forward
though as she and her mother
Jackie have a broodmare now
and are on to their third co-bred
foal so Olivia is already working
her own youngster with more to
come.
“I don’t actually work him at
the All Stars cause we are full so
I go work him afterwards.
“We have two now by Creatine
(stallion) out of the mare from
the family breed and I love the
trotters.
“So that gives me another
thing to work on and learn
from.”
No Matter Wat’s emergence
suggest she is going to be an even
better four-year-old next season
in a crop that feels like many of
the participants have plateaued
after the longest three-year-old
season ever.
Judging by what she was able
to do after over-racing Krugstyle
from the Northern Derby
last year, No Matter Wat may
have a bright future.
So too, does Thornley.
– Harness Racing Desk
• More Addington coverage,
pages 35 & 36
DECEMBER 2022
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