Oaks-Day summary: History for Oliver and Godolphin after Willowy's brave win

13 min read
Damien Oliver created history with his seventh win in the G1 Kennedy Oaks aboard Godolphin filly Willowy (Kermadec {NZ}), while a new star of the turf may have emerged after the stunning stakes victory of the Chris Waller-trained Espiona (Extreme Choice).

Cover image courtesy of Bronwen Healy

Race-Day Recap

A stirring battle in the G1 Kennedy Oaks was settled in the final few strides as Willowy and Damien Oliver prevailed.

Oliver brought up his 126th Group 1 winner, joining George Moore as the leading Australian Group 1-winning jockey.

Espiona, having just her second start, bolted in by 6.5l in the Listed Off The Track Desirable S. giving James McDonald his eighth win of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

See You In Heaven delivered a first stakes winner for Aquis stallion Divine Prophet in the G3 Ottawa S.

The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Flying Evelyn (Not A Single Doubt) put a run of bad luck behind her to win the G3 Network 10 Red Roses S.

Halvorsen (Magnus) returned to the winner's circle for the first time in 21 months, with the 6-year-old causing an upset in the Listed GH Mumm Century S.

There were rich successes for trainers Michael Moroney and Andrew Noblet with the victories of Bermadez (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) and Foxy Frida (Foxwedge).

Oliver and Willowy race into Oaks history

Godolphin filly Willowy (Kermadec {NZ}) and Damien Oliver prevailed in a stirring Flemington battle with Douceur (No Nay Never {USA}) and Michael Dee to claim the G1 Kennedy Oaks.

The victory gave Oliver a seventh victory in the race and 126th at Group 1 level for his career, drawing him level with George Moore on the all-time Group 1 list for an Australian jockey.

Willowy fights off Doceur to claim the G1 Kennedy Oaks | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy

It was a victory well-earned by the veteran jockey, who lifted the James Cummings-trained Willowy over the final 50 metres, when it looked like Douceur had her measure to claim his third Group 1 success in a week.

The pair had sat off the pace set by Gonnadancealot (Sir Prancealot {Ire}), with Douceur first to challenge at the top of the straight. Willowy was the first of the closers out deep but looked to be under pressure as Daisies (Sebring), Elusive Express (NZ) (Jakkalberry {Ire}) and Biscayne Bay (Sebring) loomed.

However, Douceur kicked again, leaving Oliver to lift Willowy, roaring her to victory as she prevailed by 0.2l, with Biscayne Bay another 2l back in third.

"I thought the second horse had us cold inside the 200. I tried everything. Maybe I took the roaring to another level, but she responded well and I can only take some of the credit," Oliver said.

"I thought the second horse (Douceur) had us cold inside the 200. I tried everything. Maybe I took the roaring to another level, but she (Willowy) responded well." - Damien Oliver

"James and the Godolphin team in Melbourne, Reg (Fleming) and all the guys, they have to take the credit too. It was my first sit on her today, I couldn't ask for any more."

Willowy, who has progressed from a Newcastle maiden win two starts back to a victory in the Oaks, via her success in the G2 Wakeful S. on Saturday, becomes the second Group 1 winner for young Darley stallion Kermadec (NZ) and the second elite winner from the Godolphin mare Dextrous (Quest For Fame {GB}), following in the footsteps of her half-brother Skilled (Commands).

It was the 30th Group 1 victory in Cummings' career as he celebrated the first victory by Godolphin/Darley in the race, joining his legendary grandfather Bart, who won the Oaks on nine occasions.

Damien Oliver, Willowy's strapper and James Cummings | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy

"It’s great for the team first and foremost. There is a hell of a lot that goes into producing a horse like Willowy on days like this. It’s a great effort from the guys at Crown Lodge where she first started off," Cummings said.

"She has just kept improving all the way, enough for us to send her to the Wakeful. We didn't nominate many for the Oaks, but we had her earmarked as one that could stay.

"It takes a filly with a great temperament and a great constitution to do what she has done in the past week and she has been able to deliver."

"It takes a filly with a great temperament and a great constitution to do what she (Willowy) has done in the past week and she has been able to deliver." - James Cummings

Cummings was also aware of the impact the victory would have on the future stallion prospects of Kermadec, the Group 1-winning son of Teofilo (Ire), who moved to Northwood Park in Victoria this season after five seasons at Kelvinside in New South Wales.

"The noms team were keen to know if she was going to come down to the carnival and we gave it some thought. We wanted to put her first," he said.

"That's massive for Kermadec who had the favourite in this race last year, in Montefilia, who won the Metropolitan 12 months later. He's producing these Classic fillies. It sets him apart being able to get a horse like that and we are looking for stallions like that, like anyone."

Another Oliver milestone

Cummings and Godolphin have formed a great partnership in Melbourne this spring with this their third Group 1 success after Colette (Hallowed Crown) in the Empire Rose S. and Anamoe (Street Boss {USA}) in the Caulfield Guineas.

Damien Oliver with the Kennedy Oaks trophy | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy

"He's a marvellous competitor and I think he teams up really well with us," Cummings said. "He's a really great guy to team up with, he speaks so well and explains his thoughts in good style."

Oliver's seventh Oaks victory and second in succession puts him level with Bobbie Lewis for the most wins in the Classic by a jockey, at the same time when he joined Moore on top of the Group 1 winners' list.

"It’s a pretty proud moment, George Moore, Roy Higgins, these guys, they are iconic figures in our sport and it’s quite amazing to be sharing records with those guys like them and Bobbie Lewis," he said.

"George Moore, Roy Higgins, these guys, they are iconic figures in our sport and it’s quite amazing to be sharing records with those guys like them and Bobbie Lewis." - Damien Oliver

"I'm pretty proud of the record I have. It’s a lot of work, but it’s a lot of fun and a fantastic journey over the years.

"It's nice to get a great result here on Oaks Day."

A star is born with Espiona

The Chris Waller-trained Espiona (Extreme Choice) put her hand up for the most dominant win of the Carnival when living up to her odds of $1.35 to breakthrough at stakes company at just her second start in the Listed Off The Track Desirable S.

James McDonald was given an armchair ride to his eighth win of the Melbourne Cup Carnival as Espiona came from off the pace and put the race to bed in a matter of strides, clearing out to win by 6.5l, from Star Of Chaos (Zoustar) with Star Waltz (Snitzel) in third.

Espiona clears away from the field to win the Listed Desirable S. | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy

It was a remarkably easy win, especially considering it was a stakes race and the Star Thoroughbreds-owned filly was having just her second start, having broken her maiden with a 3.5l win at Warwick Farm last month.

McDonald, who had made Cup week his own was clearly impressed by what Espiona has been able to do so early in her career.

"Wow, it probably looked as good as it felt. She's a lovely filly and they have taken their time with her. She could have easily run as a 2-year-old, but they are going to reap the rewards. She's a very good horse," he said.

"She's very push-button, she has been very well-educated and the world is going to be her oyster. It will take some effort for a horse to beat that for a performance over Cup week."

"She's (Espiona) very push-button, she has been very well-educated and the world is going to be her oyster." - James McDonald

A $190,000 purchase for Star Thoroughbreds and Randwick Bloodstock (FBAA) at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Espiona is the sixth stakes winner already from the first crop of Newgate stallion Extreme Choice from just 48 foals.

Bred by Torryburn Stud, she is out of a Waikato Stud family which includes Group 1 winners Vision And Power (NZ) (Carnegie {Ire}), Glamour Puss (Tale Of The Cat {USA}) and Steps In Time (Danehill Dancer {Ire}).

Expectations will be high that she might follow in the family traditions and Waller stable representative Jo Taylor was understandably pleased with the result.

Espiona as a yearling

"That was an easy watch, wasn't it? She did a fantastic job. I thought she could be a little bit vulnerable, especially with not much race experience, but she was certainly in a class of her own today," she said.

Earlier Waller and McDonald combined to win the Twitter Trophy (BM90) with Djukon (GB) (Jukebox Jury {Ire}).

Heaven sent for Jollys

Richard and Chantelle Jolly produced a dominant debut winner of the G3 Darley Ottawa S., with See You In Heaven delivering a first stakes winner for her sire Divine Prophet.

See You In Heaven claims the G3 Ottawa S. | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy

The 2-year-old filly was originally second emergency for the race, but given her chance by a trio of raceday scratchings, made the most of her first appearance on a racetrack by racing away to win by 1.25l from Satin Love (Snitzel), with Bohemian Daisy (Hellbent) in third.

Craig Williams delivered the perfect ride for the Jollys, producing the filly with a perfectly timed run to assume control of the 1000-metre event in the final furlong and easily hold her rivals.

"They knew they could travel over here with confidence and she was really great," Williams said. "My job was made very easy. Everything that Richard told me this morning is exactly what happened."

"My job was made very easy. Everything that Richard (Jolly) told me this morning is exactly what happened." - Craig Williams

"She was very professional and she has really good ability and everyone could see that today."

See You In Heaven has already returned the initial investment that the Jollys made to secure her for $90,000 through the draft of Alexia Fraser Bloodstock at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Bred in partnership by Aquis and G1G Racing, she was initially a $27,000 weanling purchase by Kestrel Thoroughbreds at the 2020 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale, where she was offered by Aquis.

Evelyn's revenge

Well-bred filly Flying Evelyn (Not A Single Doubt) brought her frustrating run of outs to an end and added a valuable first stakes win with a slick finish to win the G3 Network 10 Red Roses S.

Flying Evelyn storms home to win the G3 Red Roses S. | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy

Brett Prebble brought the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained filly through the middle of the field to prevail from A Very Fine Red (Deep Field), who was without luck, with Seradess (Astern) in third.

"The team at Flemington have done a really good job with her. She presented in great order and she just loves the straight," Sam Freedman said.

"Every time she has run down the straight she has performed well, and Brett Prebble is forming a nice association with her."

"Every time she (Flying Evelyn) has run down the straight she has performed well, and Brett Prebble is forming a nice association with her." - Sam Freedman

Flying Evelyn was narrowly been in the Listed Cap D'Antibes two starts back before enduring no luck when down the field in Group 3 race at Moonee Valley.

This win will add substantial residual value to the promising Arrowfield-bred filly, who is out of Champagne Run (USA) (More than Ready {USA}), making her a granddaughter of Group 1 winner Bollinger (Dehere {USA}) and a great-granddaughter of G1 Golden Slipper S. winner Bint Marscay (Marscay).

Halvorsen bounces back

Persistence paid off for Cranbourne-based training partnership Robbie Griffiths and Mathew de Kock with the victory of Halvorsen (Magnus) in the Listed GH Mumm Century S. at Flemington.

Halvorsen winning the Listed Century S. | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy

Halvorsen had been winless since his victory in the G3 Standish H. on New Year's Day 2020 but relished getting back to the Flemington straight, producing a powerful finish from midfield to run down Malkovich (Choisir), with Varda (Lonhro) in third.

The 6-year-old, who was bred by Griffiths, claimed his eighth career victory and took his prizemoney to over $735,000 with his second stakes success.

"To have a winner during this week, makes us feel over the moon," de Kock said. "We tweaked a couple of things with his feet in his time off to give his feet a chance to rehabilitate and you can just see the difference today. He was powerful through the line."

"To have a winner during this week, makes us feel over the moon." - Mathew de Kock

"We will work out a nice program for him after today. Obviously with an older horse like him, you have to take it step by step, but based on that effort, it looks like we are in for a good run with him."

Rich Country success for Moroney and Oliver

Michael Moroney and Damien Oliver capture Oaks Day's second biggest prize - in term of cash - with the victory of Bermadez (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) in the $500,000 Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Final.

It was a typically well-judged Oliver ride, with Bermadez coming from midfield and winning in a dominant manner which probably belied the 0.3l margin. He defeated Typhoon Harmony (Written Tycoon) with Brazen Song (Brazen Beau) brave in third having led most of the way.

Moroney has always had a good opinion of Bermadez, who his brother Paul sourced for NZ$280,000 through the Inglewood Stud draft at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale.

Bermadez (NZ) (purple cap) wins the Melbourne Cup Country Final | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy

"When he won his maiden, I spoke to Ollie and he said he was a Group horse that day. We have had a lot of things go wrong with him," Moroney said.

"The owners have been really patient and the horse is starting to reward them now."

His fourth win from seven starts takes the close relative to G1 Victoria Derby winner Preferment (NZ) to prizemoney of over $370,000.

Moroney said he would target stakes races for the 5-year-old through the autumn.

Foxy Frida's Flemington fancy

Andrew Noblet's classy mare Foxy Frida (Foxwedge) provided a great payday for her owners, taking her fourth career win in the $250,000 Inglis Bracelet.

The 4-year-old sat back off a very moderate tempo, but Kerrin McEvoy always had his rivals in sight and switching widest on the turn, she delivered a powerful finish to defeat Ruby Tuesday (Deep Field), with Intellective (Toronado {Ire}) claiming third.

Foxy Frida wins the Inglis Bracelet | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy

It was her third win at Flemington and follows her win in the Rivette Final earlier this year.

"As her form suggests, she does like this track and it suits her because it takes a while for her to wind up. She looked like she was going to get there a fair way out today," the trainer said.

Foxy Frida cost Noblet $50,000 through the Mill Park Stud draft at the 2019 Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale.

Kennedy Oaks
Willowy
Damien Oliver
James Cummings
Espiona
Chris Waller
James McDonald
See You In Heaven
Craig Williams
Richard and Chantelle Jolly