As champion jockey Damien Oliver’s career draws to a close in Perth, one Melbourne trainer wishes he would extend his time in the saddle.
Not indefinitely, but long enough to see out the career of Bermadez.
Trainer Mike MoroneyĀ and Oliver have had a long and fruitful association of many seasonsĀ and have combined four times in Group 1 races in Australia.
While BermadezĀ is not one of the Group 1 winners, Oliver does seem to hold the secret to the gelding.
BermadezĀ runs in the Stow Robotics Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday and will have Jye McneilĀ in the saddle.
Oliver has partnered BermadezĀ in five of his six wins with Jamie Kah the only other jockey to have scored aboard the seven-year-old.
“It would be greatĀ to have him on,” Moroney said.
“So that will be a question mark about him now. He certainly got on with the horseĀ and we’veĀ had a bit of success over the years together.
“He rode four Group 1 winners for me ā SarreraĀ twice, Glass HarmoniumĀ and Tivaci.”
Oliver partnered BermadezĀ when the gelding resumed at Flemington over 1400m on Melbourne Cup Day and it was the first time he had partnered the horse in 12 months.
In the nine starts during that 12-month period, that Flemington performance was the only time BermadezĀ had been placed.
BermadezĀ had beenĀ entered at Ballarat last week but was scratched when the track was downgraded during the meeting to heavy.
“He doesn’t mind it soft, but once it gets to the heavy, it’s a bit too much for him,” Moroney said.
“He’sĀ progressed well. We’dĀ like to see him string a few together because he has been out of form, but he looks great, and he seems to beĀ quite happy.
“We’reĀ just spacing his races a bit and keep him as happy as we can.”
Moroney will also be represented by Not An OptionĀ in Saturday’s race who will benefitĀ from the 2kg claim of Celine Gaudray.
Not An Option was not suited on the wet track when fifth in the Group 3 Kevin Heffernan Stakes over Saturday’s course and distanceĀ on December 2.
“He struck wet ground the other day which he is hopeless in,” Moroney said.
“He likes dry tracks, so that’sĀ why we brought him back for this time of the year.
“On his day he’sĀ a pretty smartĀ horse and that’sĀ his favourite trip, 1400 metres.”
