Tuesday, 3 July 2012:
Unanimously is well primed for his return to racing but trainer Matthew Dale isn't counting on the sprinter's almost perfect first-up record as a recipe for Rosehill success on Saturday.
Unanimously has won three of his four first-up starts yet Dale says he's not convinced the four-year-old will deliver a peak rating when he takes his place against a field of solid off-season sprinters.
"His first-up record is good but his wins have been in a lot easier races," Dale said.
"The statistics are probably flattered a little bit and I think he does come on further in his second, third and four runs."
Unanimously missed a placing when he resumed in December over Saturday's course but Dale blamed the absence of blinkers for the defeat.
"He was a little bit disappointing that day because we thought he could win.
"I put the blinkers on him after that and he went a lot better.
"Having said that he'll probably have the winkers on for Saturday because it's eleven hundred metres and he will be sharp enough.
"He's had a lot of work. He's big, strong and ready to go."
A six-time winner from 20 starts, Unanimously was sidelined after finishing fourth to Bel Sprinter at Caulfield in February.
His previous start delivered a Listed race win when he defeated Eight Bills in the Canterbury Classic.
Unanimously, a Nash Rawiller mount on Saturday, suffered a hoof injury after he ran in Melbourne and his rehabilitation was supervised by Peter Morgan, a trainer who has earned a reputation as an equine miracle worker.
"Basically he was on the water walker most of the time and touch wood he is good now," Dale said.
"Had a jumpout here at Canberra just to tick him over and to have him ready for Saturday. There was no need to give him a barrier trial."
Given a trouble-free campaign, Dale expects Unanimously to figure wherever he races.
"He's at that level now where there are a lot of options for him between Sydney and Melbourne," Dale said.
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