Oliveanotherday returns to the track this Sunday for the Group 1 Manikato Stakes at Caulfield (1200m).

Last start in the Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Quality over 1200m at Flemington, the rising sprinter never really got going, struggling with the long straight.

Trainer Tom Dabernig joined SENTrack & RSN's Giddy Up to discuss the upcoming Group 1 start for the four-year-old as he looks to respond.

“I know he let a few punters down at Flemington, but honestly believe it, he was just a bit uncomfortable on the straight course… He only just got beat 1.6 lengths,” he said.

“He just didn’t quite look like he was going to ever at any stage go on and win the race.

“But I think his Caufield record, he’s undefeated there and he’s drawn a gate (5) on Sunday, which gives us a couple of options.

“He should get a nice run and I’m hoping that back around the bend we’ll probably see ourselves on a good surface again.

Dabernig utilised the example of driving a manual car to explain what went wrong last start.

“I described it a little bit like driving a manual car and going from third to fifth and missing a gear that what’s what it looked like to me,” he said.

“Whereas around the bend, he really gets through his gears.

“He’s got a great turn of foot and he couldn’t really show that turn of foot down the straight.”

“I think he’ll definitely be much more comfortable back at Caufield.”

Gareth Hall suggested to the trainer of the star sprinter that the horse will map well for Sunday’s Group 1 feature at Caulfield.

“Yes, I think that if he jumps clearly, which he tends to, he should just get a nice up on pace sort of run,” the trainer agreed.

“If something wants to press forward and try and come across and sit outside the favourite, then we’d slot in fourth one off.

“And if not, we will just slide up outside the favourite.”

The class in the 2026 edition of the Manikato Stakes, the first away from Moonee Valley is undeniable but Dabernig has a humble degree of confidence.

“There are eight individual Group 1 winners in the race, so it is certainly going to be a test for our horse,” Dabernig said.

“He is reasonably inexperienced compared to the opposition.

“I am hoping third up and he’s nice and fit and sound, so I am confident he will run to his best.”

Hall asked Dabernig after Saturday, what would be Oliveanotherday’s direction.

“Now that he didn’t perform as well at Flemington, it probably closes a few doors for Cup week,” he said.

“But at the moment we are just taking it one run at a time and I’m sure that he’ll front up on Sunday.

“It would just depend on the scenario; I wouldn’t shy away from the straight. I would love to see him on a soft track down the straight.”

On SENTrack & RSN’s Stable Mail, Dabernig opted to put his $100 straight on the win which is currently priced at $5.50 with Sportsbet in Sunday’s Group 1 Manikato Stakes.