TEAM TIVACHI CHASING GROUP ONE GLORY

Leading rider Damien Oliver will guide the Group I fortunes of the New Zealand-bound four-year-old Tivaci in Saturday's $A2,5 million Group I Darley TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick.

He will replace Patrick Moloney, who won the Listed Kensington Stakes on the entire and partnered the Mike Moroney-trained sprinter into a last-start fifth in the Group I Newmarket Handicap at Flemington.

"We're happy with Tivaci and we think Damien will suit him," said Bruce Perry, who oversees the thoroughbred interests of Wellington part-owner Lib Petagna.

The T.J. Smith presents Tivaci with another opportunity to add a Group One win to his resume ahead of him taking up residency in the spring at Waikato Stud. The Matamata farm recently bought a major interest in the son of High Chaparral.

He is the dual Group Three winner of the C.S. Hayes Stakes and the Sunshine Coast Guineas and he was also Group One-placed in the spring in the Cantala Stakes and the Toorak Handicap.

"There are a number of options for him after Saturday, including the All-Aged Stakes and the Goodwood Handicap, but Mike will work that out," Perry said. - NZ Racing Desk & Breednet