Champion jockey Damien Oliver has produced a riding masterclass to take out the listed Amelia Park-Bunbury Stakes (1400m) this afternoon aboard the Simon Miller-trained Achernar Star.
Oliver and fellow WA born jockey Damian Lane were both at the Bunbury meeting which brought together some of the state’s premier jockeys, but it was the three-time Melbourne Cup winner who shone the brightest.
Achernar Star ($5) was well supported in betting, behind only Alpha Sky ($4) and Vital Silver ($4.80), while Celebrity Dream was the only other runner in single figures.
The speed was strong early in the $120,000 feature event, with Oliver one of five jockeys involved in a spirited battle for the lead.
Oliver eventually yielded and settled behind the pacemakers Vital Silver and My Greek Boy.
It was a winning move by the veteran hoop, who was able to get the perfect trail into the race.
The four-year-old finished powerfully in the closing stages to record a ¾ length win to Tellem We’re Comin and Vital Silver.
It was an emotional win for Achernar Star’s part-owner and Amelia Park’s Peter Walsh, who paid tribute to Oliver and rated the win as one of his finest moments in the sport.
“Oli waved his magic today and he won it for us,” he told The Races WA.
“He’s a class rider, but he’s a class bloke too and the whole family are very close.
“I couldn’t be happier for how things are working out for Amelia Park, not only with Simon but also other top trainers.
“This is one of my finest days, it’s not a Perth Cup or a Karrakatta which I’ve won, but today is top of the tree.”
It added to a successful period for Oliver in his home state, after he won the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes aboard Voodoo Lad in December.
Achernar Star is likely to progress to the Listed Grandstand Cup on March 23.
Race 8 – AMELIA PARK-BUNBURY STAKES (1400 METRES)
WA racing's favourite son, champion jockey Damien Oliver, lifts the Simon A. Miller-trained Achernar Star to a memorable Bunbury Stakes triumph. Congratulations to all connections, including Peter Walsh's @amelia_racing. pic.twitter.com/OJJYAcdKLR
— Bunbury Turf Club (@BunburyTurfClub) March 6, 2019