Damian Oliver was seen at his very best, at Royal Randwick on Saturday, riding a winning treble with all the skill and precision that has been the hallmark of his profession.

He has surely stood the test of time, close on three decades now, like a fine matured wine, he only improves with age.

Oliver is worthy of joining the select company of George Moore, Neville Sellwood, or Roy Higgins, all great jockeys of their era.

He carved a passage through, along the rails where angels would fear to tread, in a brilliant ride to win the Group1 Coolmore Legacy Stakes, on the Cairon Maher trained, Azkadellia.

The outside would have been a no no, there were no options, again the punt paid off, the fence got the vote, with his mount coasting to an impressive win, much to the delight of those that supported her.

It was certainly Oliver’s day at Royal Randwick, he landed the rich plum, the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, via Lucia Valentina, trained by Kris Lees at Newcastle, where his late father, Max, prepared Luskin Star to win the Golden Slipper Stakes.

Prior knowledge was an advantage to Oliver; he had ridden the mare a few times previously, and was aware that there were a few quirks to her.

A long way out Lucia Valentine looked a spent force, tailing out to last with the entire field ahead of her.

While the mare could not go with them early, Oliver didn’t want to bustle her, she is better suited when she can settle to her natural rhythm.

Once the straight was entered she presented a great sight, storming through the field as if the others were attached to the running rail.

Lucia Valentina increased her stake earnings to $4,140,303, she is by Savabeel from Staryn Glenn, by Montjeu.

In the defence of Oliver, a comment was made that he had Jemeka too far off the pace in the Oaks, she may have been better off if she had dodged the boys, in the Derby, the previous week.

Damian Oliver

Preferment and Awesome Rock may have been suffering the effects of their ding dong battle in the Australian Cup, when the winning margin was no more than a whisker, and the decision had to be verified in the stewards room, as there was an objection raised.

In fairness to Awesome Rock, he led for much of the journey in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, giving in at the turn into the straight; he had had enough by then, finishing last.

Preferment did little better, he beat only two home, but was never a chance at any stage, both will be looking for a break and the jury is surely out as to their future.

The United States was far from disgraced, he was in the thick of things from the outset, he has spring potential, lightly raced as you would expect, Lloyd Williams is not one to over race his horses, he is the most astute owner in Victoria.

Criterion has run his last race, there is nothing left for him, he is rising six, he will go to stud with a few questions to be answered, he has earned $7,268,869 in stake money, his winning strike rate is nothing exceptional, 36 starts for just a mere seven wins.

There is no question, Criterion is a lovely horse, he is now going into a different league, those that have been singing his praises, since he first raced, will surely open their wallets and support him with mares, otherwise talk is cheap when action is required.

Petits Filous fails at 1200, it was no surprise to see her beaten at Randwick, the outside didn’t assist, she was never on the track at any stage of the race.

She is a brilliant filly best suited at 1000 metres, whether she will get much further is doubtful at this stage.

Whilst she was a last start winner at Caulfield over 1100 metres, the second placegetter, Grey Street, was taking ground from her in the straight, the gap between winning and losing was closing quickly .

Her sire, Street Boss, produced a Group 3 in Providencia, winning at Santa Anita earlier yesterday.

Race attendances were down at the Champions, as you would expect, racing has lost its image, for what image it had, that has long gone, there is no turning back now.

The racing has become a non identity, the football codes have taken over, while racing officials have done too little too late.

Crowds are continuing to fall, the days that racing saw 80,000 at the Doncaster Handicap are too far back to even remember.