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Horse racing

Champion Jockey Damien Oliver Seeks First Group 1 Victory in Two Years

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Damien Oliver, the renowned champion jockey, is gearing up for his first group 1 success in nearly two years, riding local favorite Scenic Shot in the $750,000 Railway Stakes at Ascot next Saturday. This significant milestone comes after a string of notable failures, including a 2001 defeat by Old Comrade, which later went on to beat Northerly at level weights in the Australian Cup at Flemington. Oliver's most recent group 1 win was on Alinghi in the Swettenham Stud Stakes in Adelaide early last year, but he has faced a challenging period, including a 15-month absence after a fall at Moonee Valley and a subsequent six-week layoff.

Key Takeaways:

  • Damien Oliver is seeking his first group 1 victory in nearly two years, riding Scenic Shot in the $750,000 Railway Stakes at Ascot.
  • Oliver has faced a challenging period, including a 15-month absence after a fall at Moonee Valley and a subsequent six-week layoff.
  • The Railway Stakes has eluded Oliver in the past, including a 2001 defeat by Old Comrade, which later went on to beat Northerly at level weights in the Australian Cup.
  • Marasco has been ruled out of contention for a start in the Railway, with Always A Devil and Vain Cross now sharing favoritism at $6.
  • David Hayes has engaged Nash Rawiller for Niconero and Steven Arnold will ride Polar Bear at 54.5, while the rider for Confectioner is yet to be confirmed.

Statistics:

  • The Railway Stakes is worth $750,000.
  • Damien Oliver's most recent group 1 win was on Alinghi in the Swettenham Stud Stakes in Adelaide, approximately 12 months ago in 2022.
  • Oliver was out for 15 months after the fall at Moonee Valley.
  • He was laid up for six weeks after the fall at Werribee.
  • Marasco is priced at $8 for the Railway Stakes after being beaten by Always A Devil in the Peters Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.
  • Always A Devil and Vain Cross are now sharing favoritism at $6 for the Railway Stakes.
  • Niconero, trained by David Hayes, is priced at $7.

Sources:

  • The Age
  • Racing.com
  • Thoroughbred Daily News

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