Former Perth hoop Damien Oliver believes he is on a “nice chance” in the 2016 WA Guineas this Saturday booked to ride the Vernon Brockman-trained filly I Am Boudica who takes on the boys over the mile.
Damien Oliver partners smart filly I Am Boudica in Perth’s 2016 WA Guineas this weekend at Ascot Racecourse. Photo: Adrienne Bicknell.
The now Victorian-based Oliver has a couple of nice rides across the Railway Stakes Day card at Ascot Racecourse on the weekend including War Chant three-year-old I Am Boudica in the $500,000 Group 2 W.A. Guineas (1600m).
Oliver’s had a number of rides for the Baldivis-based horseman Brockman over the past couple of years including aboard Hobart Jones during last year’s Perth Summer Racing Carnival.
He is back in WA this weekend and looks to have a definite shot at a Group 2 win on the progressive I Am Boudica who currently pays $14 to win in WA Guineas betting at Ladbrokes.com.au.
“She’s a nice filly, been in good form,” Oliver told Racing Victoria.
“I’m hearing they think the fillies are stronger than the colts.
“She’s got a good trainer Vern Brockman, who I go back a long way with. He’s giving her a nice chance.”
Another filly Ellicazoom ($4.80) heads the WA Guineas odds this season after her last start second to Samovare in the Group 3 WA Champion Fillies Stakes (1600m).
Third in the same lead-up run over the track / distance last weekend, I Am Boudica was beaten 3.5 lengths after a run from out wide in barrier 12 of 12.
She’s looking to close the gap in the rematch on Saturday but has drawn wide again out in barrier 13 of 16 in the WA Guineas field.
After speaking to Brcokman, Oliver believes I Am Boudica can finish closer so long as he can get her to settle back a bit more off the pace and save her for the end.
“He said she was ridden a bit close last start, so I might have to ride her more conservative this week,” he said of the filly who has form around Thousand Guineas placegetter Whispering Brook from the autumn.
Oliver’s key mount on Saturday is aboard the Chris Waller-trained Mackintosh in the $1 million Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m).
Mackintosh drew wide out in gate 16, possibly into 13 by race time, but Oliver still rates the Pins four-year-old a winning hope getting in on 54kg after a couple of tough mile Group 1 runs in Sydney and Melbourne.
“I think he’s got a terrific chance. He’s been in really good form,” Oliver said.
“Drawn a little bit awkwardly, but he’ll come in a few with the emergencies inside of him.
“I don’t think he’s been over-taxed during the spring, and coming off a good last-start in the Cantala [running 1.4 lengths away fifth to Le Romain at Flemington on Derby Day], so I think it’s important you want a horse who hasn’t been over-taxed during the spring.
“He’s got a nice weight so I think he’s a good chance.”
To back Oliver and his Perth rides at the right price on Saturday make sure you’ve got an account open and ready to go at Ladbrokes.com.au – home of Enhanced Odds & Odds Boost Extra (T&Cs apply).
