Lucia Valentina, with Damien Oliver aboard, took out the $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Royal Randwick this weekend.
Oliver showed his experience in 3200m races, steadying the horse after one gap closed abruptly. On the final turn he cracked the whip and Lucia Valentina stormed home through the middle of the front runners, dominating the pack. The United States came second while Happy Clapper finished in third.
Gallante showed his class in winning the Sydney Cup and he was classy. Jockey Kerrin McEvoy had the horse in the lead from start to finish and wasn’t going to be chased down as he gave the legendary Lloyd Williams his fourth cup. Trainer Chris Waller’s three runners were in hot pursuit but had to be satisfied with 2nd (Libran), 3rd (Grand Marshal) and 4th (Who Shot the Barman).
Jockey Hugh Bowman had a superb day with four wins to take out the Nathan Berry Medal, finishing on 14 points from Damien Oliver (12) and Tommy Berry on (10). He started the day with a win in the Hotel Fernhill handicap aboard the two-year-old Prized Icon. In race four he won the Group 3 Percy Sykes Stakes aboard Miss Rock, then he rode Japonisme to victory in the Group 2 Arrowfield Sprint. The biggest win was the group one Australian Oaks aboard New Zealand filly Sofia Rosa. – Jesse Mullens
Other race results:
South Pacific Classic: Hand Fast ridden by James McDonald
Coolmore Stakes: Azkadelia / Damien Oliver
Provincial Championships: Danish Twist / Damien Oliver
Sapphire Stakes: Two Blue / Paul King
Photo of Damien Oliver winning the Queen Elizabeth Stakes from the Australian Turf Club Twitter feed.
About the author
I am the sports editor for the Macleay Newsroom. I enjoy cooking and watching sport intently.
