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Damien Oliver has edged one win closer to George Moore’s Australian Group 1 record courtesy of a gun ride on Voodoo Lad in the Winterbottom Stakes.
Oliver has now moved up to 115 Group 1 wins, just four shy of George Moore’s all time record of 119.
It took a typical Oliver masterclass aboard Voodoo Lad to get the victory, winning by three quarters of a length to Enticing Star in second with Malaguerra a close third.
Settled back in the field, Oliver weaved a passage into the clear at the top of the straight and once clear, Voodoo Lad let down strongly.
“I had thoughts I might be in front of a few,” Oliver said.
“When they were jostling for positions I was happy to let them go and just sit on their backs. I was able to peel of their backs and have a really good finish on him.”
His first win in the Winterbottom Stakes since riding Marasco to victory in 2006, Oliver addressed bridging the gap to Moore’s current record when returning to scale.
“It’s not something I really set out to do,” Oliver said.
“It’s in striking range now so I’m happy to keep having a crack at it.”
“It is great to do it at home. I don’t get to come back here very often, this carnival is my only real chance. It is where it all started for me and you never forget where you come from. I’ve got a lot of great memories coming back here.”
The Winterbottom Stakes was Voodoo Lad’s third win this campaign which commenced in The Goodwood at Morphettville in May.
The son of I Am Invincible recorded his two prior wins through the winter before holding his own against stronger company through the spring.
“He’s been running so honest in these good class races that he deserved this,” winning trainer Darren Weir said.
“It’s great he’s finally got one (Group 1). It is a massive thrill.”
“When he got to the outside and at about the 300m he was launching I thought he was going to run into the money. I got a bit more excited at the 100m.”
“It was some ride. He was back on the fence last at one stage and went through them but Ollie got him to the outside.”
Weir was also quick to thank local trainer Lindsey Smith for the role his Casuarina property played in preparing Voodoo Lad for Saturday’s Group 1 feature.
“I have to give big thanks to Lindsay Smith,” Weir said.
“He more or less throws his place at us. He puts horses in the paddock so we can use it.
“This horse has had a couple of gallops on his track. I’ve said on a couple of occasions how good his track is and it has paid dividends again with this horse. We got some solid work into him without hurting his legs and that is the key to him. I can’t thank him enough.”
