Damien Oliver breaks Group 1 Sydney drought with win on Azkadellia in Coolmore Legacy Stakes

CHAMPION jockey Damien Oliver produced one of the rides of the carnival to snare his first Sydney Group 1 win in five years on Azkadellia at Randwick on Saturday.

RACING - THE CHAMPIONSHIPS - DAY 2

CHAMPION jockey Damien Oliver produced one of the rides of the carnival to snare his first Sydney Group 1 win in five years on Azkadellia at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Oliver’s rails-hugging effort and Azkadellia’s brilliant acceleration enabled the mare to sprint through and take out the $1 million Coolmore Legacy Stakes (1600m).

It was Oliver’s first Sydney major since winning the 2011 The BMW on Cedarberg and his 108th career Group 1, joining the late Roy Higgins in second position on all-time rankings behind George Moore (119). However, it only took him 40 minutes to record his 109th win when riding Lucia Valentina to victory in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

“This is a huge thrill,’’Oliver said. “I’m a bit emotional because Roy was such a good mate, but it’s a great honour.”

Azkadellia settled near the rear of the field and Oliver felt he had no other option but to try and take the short cut home.

“She reels off some great sectionals and that gives you confidence when riding her,’’ Oliver said.

“She hasn’t seen wet tracks in Melbourne, it’s just been so dry down there but we always thought she had an action like she would love the soft and she showed that today

“When she straightened up I think she was pretty happy not to see Winx in front of her. She quickened really good and she loves that ground.

“She is a filly that takes gaps really quickly when they come. If you hold her up for one crack she has got a great finish on her. She is a little ripper, you never get sick of riding these good horses.’’

Azkadellia ($2.80 favourite) burst through near the rail and raced clear to score a soft win, holding a two lengths margin from a game Heavens Above ($13) with Noble Protector ($13) one-and-a-half lengths away third.

Trainer Ciaron Maher said Azkadellia had pulled up well after her third to Winx in the Doncaster Mile last week and felt the Coolmore Legacy Stakes was the mare’s chance to finally break through at Group 1 level.

Azkadellia gave Damien Oliver his 108th Group 1 win on Saturday. Picture: Simon Bullard

“She’s always shown that ability but because of her racing style she does run into a bit of traffic and gets a bit unlucky but she got the favours today,’’ Maher said.

“The plan was always the Doncaster and to slide her in on the minimum weight and I was hoping to get a heavy 10 but she ran as good as we could hope for. She’s thrived since and backed up well. She’s a valuable mare so good job by all the team.”

Maher said he is now likely to give Azkadellia a freshen up before aiming her at the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm in June.

“I always thinking the Stradbroke Handicap with her but it will be interesting to see what weight she gets now. We’ll freshen her and make a plan on the back of that,” Maher said.

Originally published as Damien Oliver breaks Group 1 Sydney drought with win on Azkadellia in Coolmore Legacy Stakes