News

Experience counts in Myer Classic

2nd Nov 2011

Racenet - Brad Waters - Saturday, 29 October 2011

An old hand has combined with a young stable to get consistent mare Hurtle Myrtle home in Saturday's Group I Myer Classic (1600m) at Flemington.

Champion jockey Damien Oliver took the experience gained in 94 previous Group I wins into the $500,000 event while Warwick Farm trainer Matthew Smith searched for his first win at the highest level.

Oliver rode Hurtle Myrtle in her work at Flemington on Tuesday morning. The rider's positive report gave Smith reason to adopt an optimistic mindset despite the presence of multiple Group I winner More Joyous in the Myer Classic.

"Both runs this time in had indicated she has come back in career-best form and Damien was very happy with her work on Tuesday,” Smith said. "It gave me a bit of confidence.”

Barrier 15 forced Hurtle Myrtle to race wide but Oliver said the daughter of Dane Shadow travelled comfortably throughout the weight-for-age race.

"She had an awkward gate, I needed to get a bit of cover, which I did,” Oliver said.

Oliver crept forward on Hurtle Myrtle from the 600 metres with last year's Myer Classic winner Sacred Choice on the mare's inside. The duo made their runs together before Hurtle Myrtle got the upper hand in the last 50 metres.

"I was confident she would run a great race today,” Smith said. "It is always a bit of a surprise when they win a race like this.

"She had a bad barrier but he (Oliver) rode a great race.”

Dysphonia completed a trifecta for Warwick Farm stables with her effort to finish third while the $2.60 favourite, More Joyous, finished seventh after working hard three-deep on the speed early.

More Joyous's jockey Nash Rawiller took responsibility for the classy mare's unplaced run.

"I gave her the worst ride I have ever given a horse in a Group I race,” Rawiller said.