Oliver not worried about Winx effect as he chases perfect Caulfield Cup storm

Ben Dorries - Tuesday October 17

Tangling with the mighty Winx has taken a lot out of many good horses, but Damien Oliver isn't worried that his Caulfield Cup mount Ventura Storm has been flattened by the Winx effect.

Advertisement
Damien Oliver is hunting his fifth Caulfield Cup win and his first since Sky Heights in 1999 Photo: Darryl Sherer

Oliver is chasing a fifth Caulfield Cup win, with the champion jockey hoping to add to wins on Mannerism (1992), Paris Lane (1994), Doriemus (1995) and Sky Heights (1999).

It would equal Scobie Breasley's record of five wins in the 2400m handicap.

European import Ventura Storm will be having his fifth Australian start when he lines up in the Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday, coming a fortnight after he ran second behind Winx in the Group I Turnbull Stakes at Flemington.

The David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig trained import tried his heart out in being beaten 6.5 lengths by Winx and he finished ¾ length in front of fellow Caulfield Cup contender Humidor.

Several horses who have finished second behind Winx recently have taken some ill effects from those runs, including the likes of Foxplay, Ecuador and Red Excitement.

Mind you, Happy Clapper won the Group I Epsom Handicap after he went down to Winx in his previous start in the Group I George Main Stakes.

Regardless, Oliver isn't concerned.

"Ventura Storm had to have a solid run before the Caulfield Cup anyway," Oliver said.

"I suppose you can only take on what is there, and that was Winx that day in the Turnbull.

"The Turnbull is the traditional lead-up to the Caulfield Cup and I thought Ventura Storm ran really well.

"I suppose the fact that Winx was in it might have changed a few people's ideas of going there.

"But you can only run well against what is there, and Ventura Storm ran well.

"He seemed to hit the line in good fashion and if you take Winx out of the race he would have been the first one across the line.

"He beat Humidor home."

Oliver believes it is one of the more open Caulfield Cups he has seen but is happy to riding the $11 chance.

Ventura Storm won six races in Europe before coming to Australia and Oliver thinks he is a good chance of breaking his Aussie duck on Saturday.

"It's a very even Cup and he's a good chance," Oliver said.

"I was happy with him when I galloped him on Monday.

"You would think that 2400m would be ideal for him, he has had a nice campaign."

Advertisment
More Reading...
Wathnan Racing Swoop - Quai de Bethune Eclipses July Sale Record 775,000 Guineas
The Tattersalls July Sale concluded in spectacular fashion with QUAI DE BETHUNE selling for a record 775,000 guineas and the Busuttin Young stable also picked up lightly raced 3YO TIME ALLOWED for Australia.
Breeding To Win – Crystal Ball – New Season 3YOs to Follow
Who are we highlighting this week? - Analysis of the G1 winning 3YO’s for this season has made us realise how many horses on this list took giant strides from two to three, so we are looking into the crystal ball to find some juveniles we believe could end next season as G1 performers if not G1 winners.
Justify Strikes at Newmarket with New G3 Winner
The Group III Bahrain Trophy Stakes ((1m5f) at Newmarket overnight produced a runaway winner in Scandinavia and while his sire Justify no longer shuttles to Australia, two of his sons will be on the roster at Coolmore this spring in City of Troy (IRE) and Storm Boy.
Melbourne Racing Club Unveils Major Spring Racing Enhancements
Racing Victoria has confirmed prize money allocations for the 2025-2026 season and Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) has announced some exciting race program changes and prizemoney increases that, together with other great initiatives at Flemington and Moonee Valley, reinforce the position of Victoria’s Spring Racing Carnival at the forefront of international racing.
One to Watch – Gosford
Capitalist had a double of debut winning two year-olds at Gosford on Thursday both prepared by Peter Snowden and while the expensive colt Caesar got the job done, it was the filly that really had people talking.
Willydoit Data Surprise - Sprinter or Stayer?
Scientific tests have revealed surprising results on the distance aptitude of this season’s star New Zealand staying three-year-old Willydoit.
Bred to Be Better at Three
Andrew Campbell will unveil another exciting youngster at Hawera on Saturday when two-year-old gelding Valvano makes his debut in the Simon Bendall @ Metcalfe Real Estate (1200m).
Juvenile Trial Watch – Randwick
Spring racing is just around the corner and a busy set of trials at Randwick on Friday featured eight heats won by juveniles with winners including stakes horses The Playwright and Cobra Club as well as unraced youngsters by Justify (USA), I Am Invincible and Flying Artie.
Bred to be Good - So You Think x More Joyous
It sounds like a match made in heaven, a colt by two time Cox Plate winning sire So You Think from eight time Group I winner More Joyous, and this 2YO is slated to make his debut in New Zealand this weekend,  
Sires With Winners - Thursday July 10
Here is the full list of 31 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.