3 minute read

We farewell a legend of the Australian turf on Day 5 of The Pinnacles, with The Damien Oliver Gold Rush the final race ride in the decorated career of Damien Oliver. Racing and Sports highlight their selections for the final day of The Pinnacles Carnival.

Race 1 - 12:29pm: TABtouch - Have You Got The Touch Plate (1400m)

STORMCHASER (4) turned in a strong effort in the Lee-Steere Classic and will find this a little easier than his last assignment. Damian Lane hopping int he saddle reads well and if he runs up to his last start figures, he'll take plenty of beating. BLUE LAGOON (1) wasn't far away in the Fairetha two back and ran on strongly in the G2 WA Guineas most recently. Back in trip may be some concern, but he's drawn well and is sure to make his presence felt. CRUNCHY NUT (6) looks on the way up scoring at Bunbury last time out and stopping the clock in good time from the front. Can roll forward once again for Brad Parnham and although this is the toughest task he's faced, his recent figures are right up to this grade. BRAVE STRIKE (7) finished behind Stormchaser in the Lee-Steere and has to have claims on that formline. WEERAECHOUX (9) may improve dropping back in trip and is worth including.

SUGGESTED PLAY: Siding with Stormchaser in the first. $3* with TABtouch.

Race 2 - 1:08pm: Bisley Workwear Handicap (1500m)

SAN FABRIZIO (2) looks ready for a return to the winners' stall after a 1.7L defeat last time out. He meets the winner of that event better at the weights and the man of the day D. Oliver rides. Racing well and gets his chance now. EEE PEE CEE (3) was the one who got the better of San Fabrizio last tim out and was first-up that day too. Expect him to have natural improvement to come and with only 10 starts under his belt, he probably haven't seen the best of him. Can continue his winning ways. MANHATTAN STRIP (4) disappointed at Belmont when favourite but gets Craig Williams doing the steering this time around. Better than he showed last start and is sure to be in the finish. THOROGOOD (5) wasn't far behind the progressive Yonga Lass last time out and that reads well for this event. Include. ELITE FIGHTER (7) will getback from the draw but loves this trip and can be finishing off strongly.

SUGGESTED PLAY: Backing San Fabrizio. $4.20* with TABtouch.

BEST BET: Race 3 - 1:48pm: Lexus Of Perth Handicap (1600m)

MEGAMI (10) ran on strongly over the 1800m last time out and the drop back in trip should worry as she scored over the mile at Northam two back. Nicely placed at the bottom of the weights and a repeat of her latest effort will see her getting the job done. BILLY RAY (2) is on the quick back-up after a 0.4L defeat to a smart one last time out. He drops in grade for today's event and should get a dream run from the draw. In fine form of late and strikes a very suitable assignment. BIG BADA BOOM (1) ran on well first-up and should appreciate the rise in trip. He's placed 2/3 second-up and Oliver strikes at 11% when riding for Rogers. Right in the thick of things. CLASSIC ROGUE (4) finished behind Megami last time out and can be more positive from a better alley this time around. Not to be discounted. BLACK SPIRIT (9) may have found Listed grade a touch too strong last time but looks well placed here off the inside draw.

SUGGESTED PLAY: Megami can get the job done. $4.60* with TABtouch.

Race 4 - 2:28pm: Starstruck Classic (Listed, 1600m)

The progressive YONGA LASS (5) got tongues wagging with an impressive 0.8L victory here a fortnight ago and looked to be doing her best work through the line. The inside draw may be some niggle, but trust Olly to get her out and going. Can continue her rise by running right over the top of her rivals. RUSTY DREAMS (2) ran on strongly in the Jungle Dawn and will appreciate the rise in trip. The Michael Lane barn is on fire of late and she was a good winner of the Belmont Guineas when out to this trip last campaign. Major player. AMBER GLIDE (3) may have just been too far back in the Jungle Dawn, but closed off well to only be 2.1L away. Had won four in-a-row prior and she mightn't be as far back from a nice alley today. Sure to bounce back. SUPER SMINK (7) may end up being the best horse in this race but the 1600m journey is the query. FINE TOUCH (6) turned in a bad one last start but will appreciate the rise in trip and can bounce back.

SUGGESTED PLAY: Yonga Lass can win again. $3.40* with TABtouch.

Race 5 - 3:04pm: Amelia Park Handicap (1800m)

I LOVE YOUR SMILE (3) disappointed last time out after a strong effort first-up and should strip fitter again third-up. She's a winner third-up in the past and if they set a genuine tempo in front, she can be running over the top of them late. CAPTAIN PLUTO (2) has narrowly missed out in both runs this campaign and now gets Oliver in the saddle third-up and out to a suitable trip. Wide draw is a little concern, but he ticks plenty fo boxes and rates a winning hope. SECRET ATTRACTION (12) is getting out to her more suitable trip now although she did disappoint at Belmont last time out. Third in the Belmont Oaks in July suggests she'll improve with more distance and Chris Parnham taking the ride is a good push for her chances. Key player. ACE COMMAND (8) steps out in trip for the first time on the 7-day back up. Has claims on his recent efforts. HE'SGOTWINGS (5) put in a bad one last time out but can bounce back out to this trip for the first time.

SUGGESTED PLAY: I Love Your Smile goes on top. $8* with TABtouch.

Race 6 - 3:39pm: Schweppes Handicap (1800m)

BELGRANO BELLE (5) has been right around the mark all campaign, finishing 1.2L off the winner last time out. We'll get a good guide to this form in race 2 and Parnham is a handy replacement for the suspended Pike. There's options from the gate and her recent performances show she's the one to beat. COUNT THE SESSIONS (10) has run behind Yonga Lass (engaged in Race 4) his past couple and arguably meets an easier field this time around. In career- best form of late and now at the peak of his powers, he can bring up his 7th career win. LAQUETTA'S GIFT (9) comes through the same race as Count The Sessions, finishing about a length behind that galloper. Craig Williams rides this time and she looks set to put her best foot forward. BLAZING TYCOON (6) ran on strongly last start and has claims. CISCOJOE (3) has trialled well coming in and merits plenty of respect.

SUGGESTED PLAY: Belgrano Belle to win. $4.60* with TABtouch.

Race 7 - 4:14pm: Drummond Golf Handicap (1100m)

HANG GLIDER (13) went back from the wide draw last start and never got into the race, finishing 4.1L away after a dominant win first-up. Now right down in the weights with an inside barrier, a return to winning form is expected. The one to beat. REAR ADMIRAL (9) is a winner third-up previously and comes into this on the back of a 0.9L defeat as favourite 3 weeks ago. Fitter again now and Craig Williams riding reads well. Only lightly raced with plenty of upside, she can continue to improve and that would see her right in the finish. DEVINE BELIEF (7) was dominant first-up, sitting outside the leader before pulling away for a big win. She looks to have come back in better shape and if she continues to improve, it's ominous signs for her rivals. GODDESS OF GIVING (3) has tackled Listed company her past couple and will find this much easier. An improved run is expected. COSTAZITA (11) looks to be a progressive gelding who can't be ruled out.

SUGGESTED PLAY: Hang Glider can get back to winning ways. $7* with TABtouch.

Race 8 - 4:52pm: Furphy Handicap (1400m)

UPPER LIMITS (13) ran on well when favourite first-up, missing out by only 0.6L in an eye-catching effort. The rise in trip looks to suit and he would've come on from the first-up effort. Looks set to get back to his best, and that would see him very hard to beat. VAST ART (5) ran on well in the Carbine Club and drops back into this easier grade today. The barrier is some concern, but he does get back anyway. CJP has a good record when riding, scoring 4/6 times when partnering. Appears the main danger. STREET PARADE (8) has found one better in his last three outings, but has improved with every run. Now out to 1400m for the first time with D. Lane riding. Racing well and will take plenty of catching. MAGNIFICENT ANDY (1) went under narrowly in the Carbine Club and brings arguably the best form into this. Big chance with Oliver in the saddle. CORN COB (6) Stuck on okay first-up and should strip fitter for that effort. Include.

SUGGESTED PLAY: Backing Upper Limits. $4* with TABtouch.

Race 9 - 5:32pm: Damien Oliver Gold Rush (By TABtouch) (Group 3, 1400m)

The feature of the day and 3YO RIPCORD (16) appears the one to beat. Huge run in the Placid Ark and again in the Winterbottom from a long way back. He races as though 1400m will suit and with some luck he can be charging over the top of them late. VALOUR ROAD (2) looks as though he's been set for this, dodging some key lead-ups and only having a nice tick-over trial since his latest effort. In career best form and can take it right up to the top pick. Eastern raider AYRTON (10) was a good run in the G1 Rupert Clarke and does race well on the fresh side. Damian Lane comes across to ride, who rode him to victory first-up this campaign. Right in this if he brings his best. That form ties through MUNHAMEK (4) who disappointed in the Rupert Clarke but has had a trial in WA. He's another who goes well fresh and merits plenty of respect in Olly's last ride. BUSTLER (3) won the Railway and drops back to a more suitable trip on the 7-day backup. Keep safe.

SUGGESTED PLAY: Siding with Ripcord in the Gold Rush. $6* with TABtouch.

*All prices correct as of 12:30pm AEDT, December 14.

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