An interesting Blue Diamond choice faces Damien Oliver over the coming week and the gun rider made it clear he had a few things to consider after dismounting from Ingratiating at Flemington after the colt had become the latest runner to carry the Royal Blue silks of Godolphin to victory in a two-year-old feature.
Ingratiating’s effort had caught Oliver’s attention.
“I always had an opinion of him since I first rode him,” said Oliver. “I probably had little between him and Anamoe.
“I always thought that he might want some blinkers. We put them on during the week … and you rarely see a horse improve like he did with them, so I was expecting a big show from him today.
“The only concern was he did have 59kg in what looked to be a reasonable sort of race, but he did a very good job.
“I was just camped on the leaders, but he was just going too well,” continued Oliver. “I would have interrupted his rhythm if I held him back anymore, so I just had to go with him.
“I haven’t locked in a Blue Diamond Stakes ride yet. I worked Anamoe in some blinkers this morning as well and had a discussion with James.
“Probable last Saturday I had Anamoe in front, but with the improvement Ingratiating has made in blinkers, it has certainly narrowed the gap, so I don’t think there is a lot between them.
“I’ll have another discussion with James and then see which way we go.”
