Damien Oliver delivers on his Oaks promise after winning on Miami Bound
Champion jockey Damien Oliver told the owners of Miami Bound he would win the Oaks with her and, despite some pre-race nerves, it was a promise he kept in emphatic fashion.
A smiling Damien Oliver is greeted by Nina O'Brien, wife of trainer Danny O'Brien, after Miami Bound's win in the VRC Oaks. Picture: Jay Town
Damien Oliver declared six weeks ago that Miami Bound would win the $1m Group 1 Kennedy Oaks (2500m) at Flemington.
The champion jockey delivered on the promise to the filly's owners and new Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Danny O'Brien at Flemington with a powerful three-length victory.
It adds to an already dynamite carnival for the Hall Of Fame hoop who won his sixth Victoria Derby last Saturday.
Oliver's Flemington carnival haul includes a record 76 winners, including five Oaks, five Mackinnon Stakes and three Melbourne Cups.
RECAP ALL THE OAKS DAY ACTION IN THE BLOG BELOW
But Oliver's fifth Oaks was not without some pre-race nerves, from both horse and then rider.
“It wasn't one of my prettiest rides but she actually threw me a bit before the race," Oliver said.
"She stopped and didn’t want to go into the mounting yard, I thought she wanted to go to the toilet but that wasn’t the case.
"Then in her prelim (gallop) I got around to the 600m and she stopped again and didn’t want to come back to the gates.
"I wasn’t sure what was going on with her.”
A smiling Damien Oliver is greeted by Nina O'Brien, wife of trainer Danny O'Brien, after Miami Bound's win in the VRC Oaks. Picture: Jay Town
It mattered not, less than three minutes later Miami Bound and Oliver returned to the mounting yard victorious despite being trapped wide early in transit.
Oliver took off exiting the bend and quickly put a gap on rivals before easing down to the post.
“Fortunately I was able to get a bit of cover off the (Mark) Kavanagh horse (Vegas Jewel) which took us into the straight as far as she could,” Oliver said.
“She was left there (in front) a fair way out but I think she was just the best stayer in the race and she was too good.”
O’Brien heaped praise on Oliver’s ride and patience during Miami Bound’s preparation.
“He (Oliver) has a lot of faith in this filly,” O’Brien said.
“We have been building her all spring to get to 2500m and we knew when we took the wrapping off her at the 2500m, she was going to really let go.”
Oliver celebrating with trainer Danny O'Brien. Picture: AAP
But Oliver conceded post-race his confidence in Miami Bound wavered slightly after the filly could only muster a third placing in the Edward Manifold Stakes and then fourth in the Norman Robinson.
Despite a rich riding history, it is only the second time in 20 years Oliver, who piloted O’Brien’s first Group 1 winner (Porto Roca), and the Flemington trainer have combined to win a top-tier race.
“Danny is very meticulous in his planning and has proven that this week,” Oliver said.
“When he sets a horse for a target he gets them there in the right shape.
“He has done that again today.”
Updates
BAD DAY FOR SHORTIES
Chris Vernuccio
Punters who dived into the short priced favourites had a torrid time. In the opening race $1.90 favourite Impi was the first horse beaten and finished second last.
The next good thing was meant to be $2.40 chance Harbour Views and he finished second after John Allen had a torrid time on him as he was held up before the turn and then in the straight.
Allen tried to extricate himself into the clear and eventually did so but by then Craig Williams had swooped home to win on Star Missile to complete a winning treble.
Allen was later suspended for 13 meetings for careless riding.
Star Missile upsets favourite Harbour Views in the Country Final. Picture: Getty Images
Russian Camelot then finished second at $2.60 but the winner Pancho was heavily backed to start second favourite at $2.80.
California Zimbol then finished third at $2.30 in the final race.
Damian Lane was suspended for a combined 12 meetings for careless riding in the second race and the last race.
Both Lane and Allen will ride on Saturday before beginning their suspensions.
TAB bets of note on Miami Bound to win the VRC Oaks:
$15,000 @ $3.70
$5000 @ $3.60
$3400 @ $3.60
$3000 @ $3.80
$3000 @ $3.50 ** two separate bets **
$2630 @ $3.60
$2600 @ $4.20
$2500 the win / $10,000 the place @ $3.70/$1.55
$2000 @ $10 {October 3}
$1000 @ $7 {October 5}
OAKS BIG BETS
Chris Vernuccio
TAB bets of note on Miami Bound to win the VRC Oaks:
$15,000 @ $3.70
$5000 @ $3.60
$3400 @ $3.60
$3000 @ $3.80
$3000 @ $3.50 ** two separate bets **
$2630 @ $3.60
$2600 @ $4.20
$2500 the win / $10,000 the place @ $3.70/$1.55
$2000 @ $10 {October 3}
$1000 @ $7 {October 5}
1. SISSTAR ($10, $2.80)
2. Niccovi ($2.10)
3. California Zimbol ($1.30)
RACE SNAPSHOT: Sisstar was tough. She led at a strong gallop and there to be overtaken but she fought off the challenges.
RACE SNAPSHOT: The favourite does it for Danny O'Brien and jockey Damien Oliver! MIAMI BOUND loomed up around the turn and went bang! NEVER LISTEN was steaming home and MOONLIGHT MAID also ran well, but the winner was just too good.
The win comes on top of O'brien's breakthrough Melbourne Cup win with Vow And Declare.
