The engagement of one of Australia’s best-ever jockeys was a key component in Fortunate Kiss returning to the winner’s stall on Bendigo Cup Day.
A brilliant Damien Oliver ride landed the 5yo daughter of Divine Prophet a comfortable winner of the Bendigo Locksmiths BM78 Handicap over 1100m.
Her tendency to miss away from the barriers has meant the talented mare has produced many ‘black book’ performances opposed to landing a winning cheque for her owners.
At her first run since May, she was produced in outstanding order by Daniel and the team.
But the availability of Oliver was the key element for Daniel.
Speaking to Racing.com post-race, he was delighted to leg up the champion rider.
“She’s got good talent, she is a borderline group horse, but she just gives it away at the start every time. I’ve finally been able to get Ollie on her and if he couldn’t get her to jump, no one will.”
While Oliver was fully briefed about her barrier tricks, he did suggest the way the race shaped suited her racing style.
“Dan said she can be a bit tricky from the gates, she jumped ok today, but I did watch some replays and I got a feeling she liked a little ‘peek-a-boo’ ride like that, and we were able to work it out nicely today.”
A typical stalking Oliver ride, he followed all the major chances into the race, before peeling and bombing on all the leaders late in the race.
On his swansong tour before retirement later this year, the win was satisfying for Oliver.
“It was great to get a nice win for good people in Dan and his wife, they’re really good racing people, I don’t ride for him much, but nice to get a winner before I go out.”
Daniel has no specific plans for the mare, preferring to build on her regained confidence away from the elite gallopers.
“We are just happy to get her confidence back with another win, we will probably target that back end (Spring) into summer and try avoid some of the good ones, there are plenty of races around until after Xmas.”
Her third win from 21 starts took her prizemoney beyond $278,000.
Congratulations to all her patient owners!
A brilliant Damien Oliver ride landed the 5yo daughter of Divine Prophet a comfortable winner of the Bendigo Locksmiths BM78 Handicap over 1100m.
Her tendency to miss away from the barriers has meant the talented mare has produced many ‘black book’ performances opposed to landing a winning cheque for her owners.
At her first run since May, she was produced in outstanding order by Daniel and the team.
But the availability of Oliver was the key element for Daniel.
Speaking to Racing.com post-race, he was delighted to leg up the champion rider.
“She’s got good talent, she is a borderline group horse, but she just gives it away at the start every time. I’ve finally been able to get Ollie on her and if he couldn’t get her to jump, no one will.”
While Oliver was fully briefed about her barrier tricks, he did suggest the way the race shaped suited her racing style.
“Dan said she can be a bit tricky from the gates, she jumped ok today, but I did watch some replays and I got a feeling she liked a little ‘peek-a-boo’ ride like that, and we were able to work it out nicely today.”
A typical stalking Oliver ride, he followed all the major chances into the race, before peeling and bombing on all the leaders late in the race.
On his swansong tour before retirement later this year, the win was satisfying for Oliver.
“It was great to get a nice win for good people in Dan and his wife, they’re really good racing people, I don’t ride for him much, but nice to get a winner before I go out.”
Daniel has no specific plans for the mare, preferring to build on her regained confidence away from the elite gallopers.
“We are just happy to get her confidence back with another win, we will probably target that back end (Spring) into summer and try avoid some of the good ones, there are plenty of races around until after Xmas.”
Her third win from 21 starts took her prizemoney beyond $278,000.
Congratulations to all her patient owners!
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