Damien Oliver and Godolphin dominate at Caulfield

Image: Bruno Cannatelli

Damien Oliver rode the Godolphin galloper Pandemic to win the Christmas Stakes

Damien Oliver was to the fore at the meeting riding a winning double for Godolphin and James Cummings which consisted of Picarones and the Listed Christmas Stakes on Pandemic.

Oliver has combined to win Group 3 sprint races this season with Godolphin on Coruscate and Viridine and said Pandemic was a similar type to the win.

“He’s probably not to those two horses’ level yet but he’s on the way there,” Oliver said,

“He’s a nice up-and-coming horse and in these early handicaps before the really good ones (horse) come back, he’s got a good rating so he’ll be well-placed in those races.”

It was the lightly raced four-year-old gelding’s fifth win from his 11th start.

He said Cummings and Godolphin have a good knack of placing their horses well.