The rain didn’t threaten Oliver’s parade though as earlier in the day he set a record mark of 73 carnival winners and he turned back the clock in the Freedman family colours when winning his sixth classic.
While he may be in the closing stages of his days in the saddle, Oliver still rides with all the guile and skill that has seen him at the top of his profession for decades.
He had the Anthony Freedman-trained Warning closer to the pace than was expected after the chestnut had left the gate surprisingly quickly to be on the pace.
“It wasn’t really the plan, we were going to ride him quietly but he began so well that I had to change plans pretty quickly,” Oliver said.
“He got there pretty easily when they went slowly and he was a little keen early, but when Thought Of That came around him he lobbed into the one-one and had a little rest and relaxed.”
“It wasn’t really the plan, we were going to ride him quietly but he began so well that I had to change plans pretty quickly.” - Damien Oliver
Warning travelled comfortably before Oliver angled him into the open and they strode to the front 400 metres from home.
“I pulled him out three deep and we got there a bit soon, but I didn’t want to get in his way and just wanted to let him build momentum. It’s a long straight when you’re in front a long way out.
“I knew I’d had such an economical run and I had a lot of confidence in him after I’d worked him last Tuesday. I knew he would stay well and he’s a clean-winded horse and he was really strong.
Damien Oliver celebrates with connections
“Obviously, I’m in the twilight of my career and you just can’t beat the excitement of this competition. There’s a great group of jockeys and we push each other along.
“There’s some great banter in the room and obviously a few of the younger ones can’t wait for me to move aside, but while things are going great and I’m enjoying it, I’ll continue.
“It’s great to have a winner for the Freedman's again and that’s where it all started for me 30 odd years ago. It’s lovely to get a Derby for them.”
“It’s great to have a winner for the Freedman's again and that’s where it all started for me 30 odd years ago.” – Damien Oliver
Warning showed his depths of stamina by holding a strong gallop to have 3.25l on Southern Moon (Puissance de Lune {Ire}), who did well after being tardily out of the barrier, and Soul Patch (Shamus Award) was third.
The favourite Shadow Hero (Pierro) got a long way back and made ground steadily for fifth, but without ever looking a winning chance.
Bred by the Toorak Thoroughbred Trust, Warning was a $65,000 purchase out of Milan Park Stud’s Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale draft with the docket co-signed by the trainer’s son and right hand man Sam and agent Hubie de Burgh.
Warning as a yearling
He is out of Livia (Galileo {Ire}), who won twice, and is out of a three-quarter sister to the Listed winner and G1 Futurity S. runner-up Chattanooga (Scenic {Ire}).
“We (Oliver) go back a long way and it’s good to hook up again,” Anthony Freedman said. “Not a lot of the horses run in the colours because most owners have their own, but these owners are happy to use them and it’s nice to be seen in a good race again.
“It wasn’t the plan to be ridden quite as close, but that’s why you use top jockeys and he made a snap decision, which good jockeys do, to go forward. I knew the horse would stay and I didn’t think he would be that good in the ground, but clearly got through it well enough.”
Unblinkered approach works
Meanwhile, removing the headgear from the talented Dalasan (Dalakhani {Ire}) resulted in the G1 Caulfield Guineas beaten favourite returning to winning ways in the G3 Carbine Club S.
The colt also earned his connections a $1 million bonus on offer to any horse to have also run in the Guineas.
“He settled a lot better without the blinkers than he did and I think he’s better suited to Flemington than Caulfield,” winning rider Nash Rawiller said.
“All credit to Leon Macdonald and his team and to Raquel Clark, who usually rides the horse. We were all a bit deflated after the Guineas and the blinkers off definitely helped him.”
Macdonald, who trains with Andrew Gluyas, said Dalasan would now be sent for a break.
“He might not want further than a mile so maybe we’ll look at the Australian Guineas,” he said.
Dalasan emerged from the pack to take control of the race 150 metres from home with Brandenburg (NZ) (Burgundy {NZ}) closing well from the back for second and Groundswell (Redoute’s Choice) boxed on well for third after racing in the trail.
Dalasan fights to the finish
