A ride to put the stamp on an incredible career, Damien Oliver scythed between runners from near last on the turn to capture the $1,500,000 Damien Oliver Gold Rush at Ascot on the Nick Ryan-trained Munhamek (GB).
The third consecutive winner on the card for the hometown ace, Munhamek (GB) needed something special after being taken back in the field from an outside barrier, and he got it.
The 8-year-old son of Dark Angel bursts between runners to defeat the admirably honest Written By 3-year-old gelding Ripcord by a half-length, with the Playing God gelding Comfort Me three-quarters of a length back in third.
"I couldn't think of a better way to finish," Oliver said.
"It was death or glory at the top of the straight. I have confidence in this horse. He can take the gaps when they come.
"Nick Ryan has done a great job with him, and I just had to point him in the right direction.
"When the gaps came, he worked his way through them. It was a great win and an unbelievable feeling.
"It’s a bit of a relief. It has been overwhelming, and the crowd here at Ascot have given me a wonderful reception. I think it is the biggest crowd I have seen here, and I won't forget the roar and applause for those last three winners.”
Nick Ryan has done a fantastic job revitalizing the career of Munhamek (GB), who won three of thirty starts in Hong Kong when trained by David Hall and Casper Fownes.
When trained by Ivan Furtado, he was a winner of two and runner-up in two of his four starts in England.
The winner of the Listed Spear Chief Hcp (1500m) at Eagle Farm in June, Munhamek (GB) advances his record to ten wins, nine seconds, and eight thirds from 52starts with earnings of $2,104,780.
Bred by Shadwell Estate, Munhamek (GB) is the best of four winners from six to race for the Dansili mare Cadenza, a half-sister to Group III winner and Group 1 Two Thousand Guineas third Kandidate (Kabool), and Group III winner Star Valley (Starborough).
