Damien Oliver has a sentimental tip in the Gold Rush one year after his riding career came to magical end

Damien Oliver has relived how he turned around his final day in the saddle with an extraordinary treble, and one of those winners is his pick for the Gold Rush on Saturday.

Where did that year go?

It’s amazing to me that Saturday marks 12 months since I rode in my last Australian race and what a day that was – the appropriately named Gold Rush day at Ascot.

It wasn’t by coincidence I chose Perth as my last day of riding. I’m from WA, started riding over there and it gave Mum, who was struggling with her health at the time and passed away a few months ago, the chance to be trackside on the last day of my career.

• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet’s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

It was a day of two halves for me. I went there with such high hopes and what looked like a good book of rides, but nothing went right on the first few and it was hard not to feel a bit down.

I took a moment to pause in the middle of the day and felt that I’d been riding to try and please others and even trying to be too tactical. It wasn’t working.

I’d built my career on riding to the feel of my horses and on instinct to a certain extent, I decided to go back to that for the rest of the day.

It worked. It got into a great spot just off the speed on Divine Belief and he had it won a fair way from home.

I was away and running and the weight off my shoulders.

Magnificent Andy finished strongly and just in time to make it a double in race eight.

Then, it was on to the big one, Munhamek in the Gold Rush … the last time I’d ever ride in a race in Australia and in front of family, friends and a massive crowd, not just on-track but watching on TVs everywhere.

I got back further than I wanted, right back near the tail, but I stuck with riding him how he felt.

Damien Oliver celebrates after winning in his final race ride aboard Munhamek in the Gold Rush at Ascot last year. Picture: Jorja King

Every time I went for a gap it was there and then that last big opening came – the moment where I’d either win or get chopped-out – and I got through and won it.

I couldn’t have asked a better full stop. Dreams do come true.

That moment getting back to Trish, the kids and Mum after the race – I can’t describe what that meant.

It’s all been captured on film by the Ladbrokes team in a documentary and it’s being shown for the first time on Channel 7 after the Big Bash finishes on December 27.

Then it’ll be live for all to see on the Ladbrokes YouTube channel.

I won’t deny filming during those last few months was a big extra stress at the time, but gee I’m glad we did it, now.

It’s so humbling they’ve named a grandstand and this race, the Damien Oliver Gold Rush, after me.

I’d love to be riding Magnificent Andy for my old mate “SJ” Miller, partly out of sentiment, but the horse is flying.

His Railway run was fantastic. He’s drawn well (barrier four) and great value around the $11 mark.

Barriers are important over 1400m at Ascot, so Super Smink is the other one I like from five.

He had no luck at all in that vital last 200m of the Railway and would’ve been right in the finish.

OLLIE’S TIPS

GOLD RUSH

TOP TIP: Magnificent Andy

DANGER: Super Smink

Veteran snapped up for Supernova

Ladbrokes Racing Club has secured iron horse Munhamek for the $1m The Supernova at Pakenham on December 21.

Munhamek jumped out nicely at Flemington last week and will head to the second leg of the inaugural Southside Racing slot series first-up after a 10-week freshen up.

The nine-year-old, who has won 13 of 66 starts and $2.5m prizemoney for connections, has won three of six first-up previously and placed twice.

Munhamek raced well without ultimate success last campaign after a busy winter culminated in a hat-trick of wins, including the Swan Hill Cup and Listed Winter Championship Final.

The Nick Ryan-trained gelding this time last year sealed the ultimate farewell for legendary jockey Damien Oliver, who piloted Munhamek to victory in the Group 3 Gold Rush at Ascot.

“We’re pumped to get the Ladbrokes slot,” Ryan said.

“He had a good jumpout recently and went very well.

”He can really pull out a run fresh and he’ll be primed on the day.

“Hopefully he’s gives us another big thrill, like that Gold Rush win with Ollie.

“That was something very special and quite emotional.

“I don’t think I’ll ever top it, but winning the Supernova would be a terrific buzz, too.”

Munhamek will come up against The Meteorite slot-race winner Nadal in The Supernova on Pakenham Cup day along with Tuvalu, Arkansaw Kid and Chorlton Lane among others.

Ladbrokes Racing Club general manager Ryan Stanaway said Munhamek has been “such a fantastic stalwart” for Ryan, his stable and connections.

“Who could forget that very special moment in the Gold Rush with Ollie in the saddle,” Stanaway said.

“Moby Dick did us proud in The Meteorite, and with even luck we hope that Munhamek can give the Ladbrokes Racing Club plenty to cheer for.”

Oliver is an ambassador for Ladbrokes.

Originally published as Damien Oliver has a sentimental tip in the Gold Rush one year after his riding career came to magical end