Big race jockey Damien Oliver produced another typical hard driving finish to score a last stride win on Suavito in the Group 2 $300,000 Momentum Energy Stakes (2000m) at Flemington today.
Suavito scores a last stride win in the Momentum Energy Stakes at Flemington, Photo by Sarah Ebbett.
Oliver recorded his sixth overall win for the four day Melbourne Cup Carnival and his second win for the day after scoring earlier on Le Roi in the Group 3 $300,000 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m).
The Hall Of Fame jockey started the week off in outstanding fashion with a Group 1 winning double on Derby Day last Saturday with wins on Happy Trails in the $1m Longines Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) and on Preferment in the $1.5m AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m).
And Oliver was at his best again on the Nigel Blackiston trained Suavtio, weaving a age in the straight to claim the prize in the last stride.
Oliver was aboard Suavtio when she won the Group 3 $150,000 Eliza Park International Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley two weeks ago and Blackiston resisted the temptation to run the mare in the Group 1 $500,000 Myer Classic over 1600m at Flemington last Saturday and instead stepped her up to 2000m today.
“He was tempted to run her in the Myer last Saturday, fortunately resisted the temptation and saved her for this race and it paid dividends,” Oliver said.
“She is a little beauty, she tries her heart out and she managed to get us there on the line.”
Even though Suavtio had been beaten at her only try over 2000m, Blackiston was certain that she would run out the distance today.
“She is as tough as old boots. She always finds the line strong and what a great result,” Blackiston said.
“The way she finished it off, she just attacks the line beautifully. I knew she was strong at the 2000m.”
Oliver was able to follow Girl In Flight ($11) through the gap at the 250m and eased over her heels before Suavito ($7) arrived in the last stride to score a nose win with the early leader Amanpour ($9.50) holding on for third.
In a wide open betting race the $5 favourite Scratchy Bottom was always well back in the field before making up some ground in the straight to finish sixth.
2014 Momentum Energy Stakes Result
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | SUAVITO (NZ) | Nigel Blackiston | Damien Oliver | – | 7 | 57.5kg | $7 |
| 2 | 7 | GIRL IN FLIGHT | Robbie Griffiths | Kerrin McEvoy | 0.1L | 1 | 56kg | $11 |
| 3 | 13 | AMANPOUR | Gai Waterhouse | Tommy Berry | 0.3L | 9 | 55kg | $9.50 |
| 4 | 4 | TANGO’S DAUGHTER | Mick Price | Hugh Bowman | 1.55L | 8 | 57.5kg | $31 |
| 5 | 1 | SOLICIT | Mathew Ellerton & Simon Zahra | Damian Lane | 2.3L | 11 | 58.5kg | $6 |
| 6 | 9 | SCRATCHY BOTTOM | Michael Kent | Dwayne Dunn | 3.3L | 4 | 55kg | $5F |
| 7 | 3 | STAR FASHION | David Hayes & Tom Dabernig | Michael Walker | 3.4L | 6 | 57.5kg | $13 |
| 8 | 19e | TERAI | John O’Shea | James McDonald | 3.5L | 10 | 55kg | $16 |
| 9 | 6 | ZONZA (NZ) | Roger James | Michael Rodd | 3.8L | 15 | 56.5kg | $13 |
| 10 | 18e | IN MASQUERADE (NZ) | Peter G Moody | Luke Nolen | 4L | 2 | 55kg | $51 |
| 11 | 10 | RECKLESS ASSASSIN | John Sadler | Chris Symons | 5.25L | 3 | 55kg | $51 |
| 12 | 15 | NO EXCUSES BEC | Andrew Noblet | Ms Katelyn Mallyon (a) | 7.5L | 5 | 55kg | $41 |
| 13 | 5 | MYAMIRA | Rodney Northam | Craig Williams | 13.5L | 13 | 56.5kg | $21 |
| 14 | 8 | KEEP DE ROSE (NZ) | Danny O’Brien | Chad Schofield | 14.75L | 12 | 55kg | $51 |
| 15 | 14 | LADY CUMQUAT | Darren Weir | Ben Melham | 15.15L | 14 | 55kg | $15 |
