Image: Steve Hart
Day two of the Championship was a memorable afternoon for champion driver Damien Oliver
Damien Oliver celebrated his historic win over Nimalee in the Queen Of The Turf Stakes, a victory that took him to 127 Group 1 wins to overtake legendary driver George Moore.
This decorated jockey didn’t register the feat of paddling the Matthew Smith-trained mare to her 2-1/4-length victory on Saturday but is considered an achievement to be proud of. .
“I don’t think about that really, but it’s pretty good,” Oliver said.
“They didn’t create a lot of ground, so I wanted to be a little more productive at the beginning from the good draw, keeping a spot.
“This mare, she is always very consistent everywhere but very difficult to win. But she loves today’s conditions, travels really well in the box seat and gives me a great kick.
“When it was my turn, I knew I went pretty well. I was hoping it just converted into what I was feeling. “
One of a select group of riders who won the ‘grand slam’ race of Melbourne Cup and Caulfield Cup, Cox Tấm sheet and Yellow sandalsOliver has been in the treetops for more than three decades.
He sat level with Moore on £126 before taking the lead in the all-time list with Saturday’s win.
The win was also significant for the underrated Nimalee, who was rewarded for her consistency with a major.
“Finally. Smith said
“She raced really well in prep in Melbourne, finished fourth in Group One there and wasn’t beaten too far.
“We knew she was right for these mares, it was just a matter of setting the right conditions and she handled the track well today. It was a good win. ”
Nimalee ($31) beat Annavisto ($16) with Icebath ($5.50) in running her usual honest race for third, a long way.
Her victory gave the So You Think husband three of the four Group 1 races at Randwick with his sons Knights Order claimed. Sydney Cup (3200m) and think about it Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).
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