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By Ray Hickson

Trainer Nick Olive would be rapt for connections if either of his two mares wins Sunday’s $150,000 Evergreen Turf South East Country Championships (1400m) at Nowra but it’d be extra special if Kimberley Secrets can give him a third win in the race.

Trainer Nick Olive (Pic: Bradley Photos)

Without A Shadow won the inaugural South East feature for Olive at Goulburn in 2015 while Kimberley Secrets was successful two years ago at Moruya.

She ran a respectable sixth in the final and filled the same placing in The Kosciuszko later that year but a suspensory injury cost her 14 months and almost her racing career.

Olive said it’s a relief to have the five-year-old back and in good form, with two city placings, and it would be satisfying if she can win her way to Randwick again.

“She’s the best horse we’ve got in the stable at the moment and a lot of work went into getting her back,’’ he said.

“We gave her the time and we went through a strict rehab program with her, we didn’t push her. We gave each stage some extra time and touch wood it is paying off.

“We didn’t know if we would get her back and we didn’t know if she’d be as good. So it’s good to see her probably racing as good as she’s ever gone.

“I thought she acquitted herself really well two years ago. I feel she’s a lot stronger and more mature and I feel she probably runs a stronger 1400m now.”

Kimberley Secrets had her first run back at Canterbury on January 17 and finished second behind Balkans.

She then went to Randwick 22 days later and ran third in a mares Benchmark 78 over 1300m, rallying after looking under pressure early in the straight.

The Queanbeyan trainer said those two runs have her close to her peak and particularly her latest effort told him she’s ready for 1400m.

“I thought she was going to drop out a touch the other day but she really fought back hard and was strong to the line,’’ he said.

“Second-up after such a long break I thought it was a super effort. I feel she’s in great order, she’s fit and healthy and feels as sound as she ever has.”

If stablemate Toes In The Water is the back-up for the Olive stable it’s not bad to have a metropolitan winner two starts ago as that understudy for the Country Championships.

That was at the Kensington track on January 15 and either side of that win she’s contested Big Dance eligible country cups, running third at Moruya three starts ago.

Olive is forgiving of her Bega Cup failure two weeks back and will be sweating on the barrier draw going in her favour.

“She drew a bad gate, went back and was caught wide anyway, he said.

Kimberley Secrets runs third at Randwick on February 8

“It was just a complete forget run, she never really got a chance and weakened out of it.

“I gave her five days in the paddock after that and she’s come back in good order and looks a treat, so I expect her to bounce back. I’d really need her to draw a barrier to get the best out of her.”

First and second from the Nowra feature will take their place in the $1 million Evergreen Turf Country Championships Final (1400m) at Randwick on April 5.

All the entries, form and replays for Sunday's Country Championships meeting at Nowra