OLLIE MASTERCLASS ON A THURSDAY

Trainer Danny O’Brien lauded champion jockey Damien Oliver for being at the top of his game, after a perfect ride saw Extreme Pride salute at Seymour on Thursday.

The epic final 400m in the BM58 1600m event saw champion jockeys Oliver and Craig Williams duke it out on the favoured runners with Oliver prevailaing in a tight finish.

“They are both outstanding jockeys, but Damien’s ride form the outside gate was special. Being able to get one-out and one-back, before producing her at the right time was outstanding,” O’Brien said. 

"He is still at the top of his game and I expect it will be another big Spring for him.”

The Flemington trainer said he was thrilled with the progression the four-year-old daughter of I Am Invincible was making in her first full preparation in his care, who made it back-to-back wins with this result.

“She has come along way as she can be quite keen, but Damien has done a lot of work on her at home and you saw the way she settled today for him that all the work is paying dividends.”

O’Brien wouldn’t put a ceiling on where the mare could reach, highlighting that he expected that she could continue to make her way through the grades this preparation.