News

Damien Oliver continues rich vein of form aboard Lion Of Belfort to snatch Blue Sapphire

12th Oct 2013

Herald Sun - Greg McFarlanne - Saturday, 12 October 2013

DAMIEN Oliver’s white-hot form continued when he drove home exciting three-year-old Lion Of Belfort to win the Blue Sapphire.

Lion Of Belfort, the first horse Oliver rode on his return to the track following his suspension at Geelong in September, could now head to the Coolmore after taking a well-time run to down Safeguard and Diamond Oasis.

Oliver said his loyalty to Lion Of Belfort’s trainer Mick Price saw him choose the colt over his other last-start winner Iconic heading into the race.

He said Lion Of Belfort showed great courage in taking the run that he needed to take, saying: “there wasn’t much room, we had to hold our nerve and grit our teeth, and we got through.

“The Coolmore will be another giant step, but we will see what happens.”

Price said the horse had been “brave” in taking the gap and would likely now progress onto the Coolmore.

Blue Diamond Stakes winner Miracles Of Life missed the start and never got a crack at them, with jockey Lauren Stojakovic unable to find a clear passage in a congested run down the straight.

Picture: Lion Of Belfort (Statue Of Liberty x Literature) prior to being sold by Makybe at the 2012 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale to BC3 Thoroughbreds for $35,000. Saturday's win took the three-year-old's earnings to $268,850 thanks to three wins and second from just four starts.