Flemington races: Home Of The Brave gives Damien Oliver fifth win in Aurie’s Star Handicap
While many punters had lost confidence in Home Of The Brave after 13 races without a win, James Cummings and Damien Oliver never lost faith in the veteran, and were rewarded with a feature-race win.
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Underlining the enduring excellence of two of Australian racing’s most prominent clans, Damien Oliver and James Cummings capitalised on perfect conditions to end Home Of The Brave’s 100-week winless streak.
While many punters had lost confidence in the nine-year-old after 13 races without victory since his Group 2 Theo Marks success in April 2018, Cummings and Oliver kept faith.
And, despite a minor hiccup after leaving the barriers, Home Of The Brave recovered to notch his seventh black type success to vindicate Cummings’ belief the greybeard is the Blue Army’s premier straight-course sprinter.
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While Oliver has won at the highest level for Cummings’ grandfather Bart and father Anthony, the champion jockey sits alone in Aurie’s Star history.
Adding to previous wins in the race on Mic Mac (2009), Tiger Tees (2014), Shiraz (’15) and Voodoo Lad (’18), Oliver is the only jockey to triumph in it five times.
Cummings’ representative Sean Keogh praised Oliver’s composure after favourite Great Again, who eventually finished second, veered in towards Home Of The Brave when the gates open.
Damien Oliver has a remarkable record in this race. 👌
— Racing.com (@Racing) August 8, 2020
Home Of The Brave loves the straight and wins the Aurie's Star for @Godolphin. @FlemingtonVRC pic.twitter.com/J4pI7Yi0Zi
“He had to overcome a little bit of adversity out of the barriers – he got a little bump,” Keogh said. “Ollie’ was quick thinking and took him to the outside for clear running room. He was very tough late, super win.
“James picked this race out for him and the guys in Sydney and at Osborne Park got this horse ready for today, they sent him down and we got the result.”
Avenging defeat to Voodoo Lad two years ago, Home Of The Brave gave Oliver a treble after early wins on Café Rizu and Fatigues.
“It’s been a great start to the new season. Hopefully I can keep it going,” he said, pointing out his mount had relished the soft 7 going and a weight drop from his previous start.
“I think it (weight swing on Great Again) helped, and the perfect conditions track-wise.
“The slow going, he appreciates that and the slow tempo. He’s got a good record down the straight and with a building tempo for him, it all worked out well.
“I just got a bit sandwiched (at the start). I think he wasn’t brilliant away but the horse on the outside jumped in on top of me. I got through that and then let him come to the outside of Great Again.
“It wasn’t too much of a disadvantage.
“He’s nine now so obviously he’s not getting any better but he’s holding his form. He was well placed today, the reduction in the weights, and he’s got good form down the straight and the soft conditions, too. Everything went perfect today.”
Damien Oliver just picked up his 611th black type win. 💪
— Racing.com (@Racing) August 8, 2020
He is a genius in the saddle. He talks through his Aurie's Star win aboard Home Of The Brave. pic.twitter.com/vVtU220CgF
Tavidance won’t be rushed to elite class
Not even the jubilation of ownership joy — and a gaping six-length margin — was sufficient to tempt Michael Kent Jr into excessive post-race ambition after Tavidance’s authoritative return to form.
Dismal at Caulfield when sixth at his previous start, Tavidance restored his reputation with a Seppelt Trophy (1720m) demolition.
Ridden by Jamie Kah, Tavidance illustrated why co-trainers Mick Price and Kent have such a high opinion of the gelding — as well as ownership.
“I think, last time, he was not himself,” Kent said. “He had an off day. When he won at Caulfield the time prior, you don’t see horses pull up that well.
Tavidance goes bang, that was sweet! Not a worry in the world for the @MickPriceRacing camp and @jamieleekah07. That was impressive. 👌 pic.twitter.com/PuDGLjukoL
— Racing.com (@Racing) August 8, 2020
“I want to say a big thank you to Mick Price for letting me come into this horse as an owner. It’s a big thrill to see them win like that. Rolling tempo, soft track, they opened up which allowed him to get off the fence which was always our concern.”
Included in the ownership group are Price’s daughters Kelly and Steph, Price’s partner Shona Drechsler and stable foreman and assistant trainer Mick Nolan.
Kent said the five-year-old, whose previous start at Flemington was a third behind Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare over 1800m, would not be rushed into elite class.
“It’ll be interesting to see how they handicap him … we’ve always thought he’s open class, maybe a touch better and I think that was proved today,“ he said.
ON THE PUNT — FLEMINGTON
By Leo Schlink
OCTANE CUTS LOOSE
Written off after a single win from his first six starts, $1.4 million yearling Octane was on the cusp of being sent to Darwin after transferring to Phillip Stokes’ stable from Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.
The change in environment has sparked latent talent with the five-year-old logging his sixth win from seven starts after motoring late to claim the Rob Gaylard Handicap (1000m).
His Flemington triumph boosted his career earnings to $243,000 but Stokes and winning jockey Jamie Kah are upbeat about the future.
“I think time has done him good, and going over the Adelaide and going through his grades,” Stokes said.
“He’s really enjoyed it. He’s a happy horse. We always thought he’d enjoy the straight and it’s great now he’s done that and tipped it over. Very happy for Ken McDonald who was one of the original owners and gave him to us to train.”
Octane has some serious talent. That was arrogant in the end... 😮 @pstokesracing pic.twitter.com/eqqQsV2a1p
— Racing.com (@Racing) August 8, 2020
DOUBLE COMES AT A COST
Liam Riordan slotted his first Flemington double, completing the brace on Coming Around and Jittery Jack. But it came at a cost under the new whip breach penalties with an eight-meeting suspension and $1000 fine for striking Jittery Jack 10 times before the 100m mark.
While Coming Around ($3) performed to market expectations for Brent Stanley, only a select few thought John Matheson’s Jittery Jack ($18) would get up.
Based at Kerang, Matheson said: “The owner just told me that she got 60-1 last night. She said she’d give me a hug but she said she’s not allowed.”
Jittery Jack is Matheson’s first winner at Headquarters.
SKY’S THE LIMIT
Damien Thornton is bullish over the future of Skyman after the gelding’s powerful Furphy Lager Handicap (2000m) win.
Thornton conceded he had hit the front slightly early on the import, but it made no difference.
“He can definitely progress through his grades to open company or that lower listed or Group 3 level,” Thornton said. “He’s got to keep improving to get to that. I wouldn’t put a cap on where can get to but we’ll just take it slowly.”
OLIVER STRIKES
After four seconds and a win from 10 rides leading into the Flemington meeting, Damien Oliver wasted no time in converting opportunity into success.
A race-to-race double on Godolphin’s Fatigues (Lexus Handicap) and Mike Price and Michael Kent junior’s Café Rizu (Grinders Handicap) catapulted the 10-time metropolitan premiership winner to an early-season lead.
Oliver then cemented the buffer with Home Of The Brave’s Aurie’s Star triumph. Cafe Rizu vaulted onto the third line of VRC Oaks betting at $26 on the strength of the win.
EXEMPLAR FINDS FORM
Exemplar’s gritty TAB Handicap (2530m) triumph was the grey’s second successive Flemington win and a reminder of how quickly careers can change shape, according to trainer David Eustace. “He was a horse that was supposed to go and win the maiden hurdle at Warrnambool but he’s doing slightly different things now. Doesn’t matter how he’s doing it, he’s winning,” he said.
TIMING GLITCH
Technical glitches meant sectional live timing wasn’t available on Racing.com at Flemington. The data was accessible online post-race. Elite Legacy’s late appearance on the track for the Rob Gaylard Handicap was due to problems fitting a girth on the sprinter.
EXCUSES, EXCUSES
Lucky For All – lame offside foreleg
STEWARDS
Liam Riordan – Suspended for eight meetings and fined $1000 for excessive whip use
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“That was a dominant win and really good to see. He’s a good horse and it was really pleasing to see the way he took the time to catch the leader and then really dominate.” Brent Stanley after Coming Around’s effortless GH Mumm Plate win.
TWEET OF THE DAY
“Damien Oliver screaming at his mount to chase yours down is one of the more terrifying experiences (goat emoji).” Jarrod Traynor on the champion jockey’s vocal enthusiasm late in races.