Ollivici versus Queen Elida – a showdown for the ages

Ollivici and Queen Elida.

They are two of the rising stars in the Australian trotting ranks, bound for super stardom.

So what a tantalising moment we have in store when the New Zealand-bred four-year-olds go head-to-head for the first time in the Group 1 $75,000 Aldebaran Park Bill Collins Sprint (1720m) at Tabcorp Park Melton on Saturday night.

It’s a clash we have been waiting for with great anticipation as each has gone to a new level this season.

Racecaller Dan Mielicki best summed up the excitement Ollivici and Queen Elida bring to the track.

On Ollivici: “There’s something pretty special (about him). He’s very exciting.”

And on Queen Elida: “There’s something pretty special. Her point-to-point speed is unbelievable.”

Ollivici has come on in leaps and bounds for trainer-driver Chris Lang this season.

There was no doubting the talent was there in his first season of racing as a three-year-old, but with maturity he has become a revelation in 2022 – being unbeaten in six starts and stamping his authority each time he steps out onto the track.

Queen Elida began winning as soon as she arrived at Brent Lilley’s stable from New Zealand as a two-year-old and was dominant against her own age and sex as a three-year-old.

This season, she has also taken the next step. The daughter of Love You has won four of five, initially in mares company before stepping out in open class in last weekend’s Chris Howe Free For All and disposing of her rivals in the same way she so often has.

The barrier draw sets up the Bill Collins clash perfectly.

Ollivici loves to roll along in front, leading in four of his latest six victories.

Race after race, Queen Elida has used what is now her trademark finish to blow away the opposition.

So with Ollivici starting from gate six, there is every chance he will find the front, ensuring Lang is looking over his shoulder for Chris Alford to make a move on Queen Elida from her second row draw.

For all this, could another emerging four-year-old be a spoiler?

Parisian Artiste is another on the rise.

The Alex Ashwood-trained squaregaiter has played his hands a little more low key than Ollivici and Queen Elida, but he is a Group 1 winner and his finishing burst from the back of the field to win over the mile at Menangle three starts ago is a reminder of what he is capable of.

All-in-all, it’s a mouth-watering prospect on a night with so much to offer.

OLLIVICI AND QUEEN ELIDA IN PROFILE

OLLIVICI
NZ-bred 4yo gelding
CAREER RECORD
17 starts 10-3-0
3YO RECORD
11 starts 4-3-0
4YO RECORD
6 starts 6-0-0
BEST WINNING MILE RATE
1:57.8 (2240m)
FASTEST LAST 400m
27.6 seconds
BIGGEST WINS
G2 2022 Winter Cup
G2 2022 Tornado Valley Final

QUEEN ELIDA
NZ-bred 4yo mare
CAREER RECORD
25 starts 15-4-2
3YO RECORD
13 starts 9-3-1
4YO RECORD
5 starts 4-1-0
BEST WINNING MILE RATE
1:55.8 (1609m)
FASTEST LAST 400m
27.6 seconds
BIGGEST WINS
G1 2021 Need For Speed 3yo Princess
G1 2021 Victoria Oaks
G1 2021 Breeders Crown 3yo fillies
G1 2022 NSW La Coocaracha (mares)
G2 2022 Matriarch (mares)
G3 2022 Carlottas Pride FFA (mares)
G3 2022 Chris Howe FFA