Back Yourself!
Sign-up and start betting with Ladbrokes in 2 minutes!
Back A Winner with Neds!
Sign-up and start betting with Neds in 2 minutes!
Daily Racing Specials!
Sign-up and bet with Australia's best new bookmaker!
#1 Ranked New Bookie
Sign-up and bet with Australia's #1 ranked new bookmaker!
Best Of The Best Odds!
Bet With Palmerbet and get Paid Top Fluc or Top Tote!
Massive Odds on All Races!
Sign-up and start betting with PlayUp in 2 minutes!
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Set a deposit limit.
Search
 

Damien Oliver has had to survive a lengthy protest from Craig Williams to land the first Group win of his comeback aboard Divine Calling in the Bill Stutt Stakes at Moonee Valley.

Divine Calling, the $3.20 favourite, came from back in the field in Friday night’s Group Two 1600m race to defeat Shamus Award by a short half-head with a neck to Cluster in a thrilling finish.

Shamus Award’s jockey Craig Williams quickly lodged an objection and put forward a spirited argument saying Oliver had made contact with his mount in the run to the line and also impeded his normal whip action which he said cost himself the race.

“He has laid over my horse and given the margin he’s cost us victory,” Williams said.

Oliver argued there was a shift from both horses when contact was made and although the horses raced tight to the finish, the major part of the incident happened after the winning post.

Stewards ruled there was a shift from both horses at a point when they came together and dismissed the objection.

Divine Calling’s victory brought up a treble on the night for Oliver and continued his winning form since his return earlier this month from a 10-month ban for a betting offence.

Gai Waterhouse’s foreman Roger Elliott said Divine Calling was likely to go to the Group One Caulfield Guineas (1600m).

Oliver had ridden Divine Calling to victory at Moonee Valley at his previous start and said he added another string to his bow by coming from off the speed on Friday night.

“Since he has been down in Melbourne he’s really thrived,” Oliver said.

“He hasn’t surprised me. From the first time I sat on him he gave me a nice feel.”

Meanwhile, the Peter Gelagotis-trained Mourinho scored a narrow victory in the Group Three JRA Cup (2040m), defeating the Jake Stephens-trained import Gris Caro.

Gelagotis said he was confident coming into the race and the winner would now head to a race like the Cranbourne Cup.

 
*Existing customers only. 2nd Racing bet. Excl SA & WA. T’s & C’s apply. Gamble responsibly.
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Set a deposit limit.
Featured News

FREE BETS – Claim $1000’s in Bonus Bets at the TOP Betting Sites

We take a look at the BIGGEST and BEST Free Daily Racing Offers and Betting Promotions from Australia’s leading online...

Golden Slipper Likely Field – 2024

The biggest two-year-old race of the year will jump this Saturday in arguably one of the best fields in recent...

Former trainer handed a five-year ban for pulling stewards pants down

Former trainer Todd Balfour has been handed a five-year disqualification by Racing SA stewards after a misconduct incident at the...

Melbourne Cup champion Verry Elleegant passes away

Verry Elleegant, one of the great mares in the history of Australian racing, has died while giving birth to her...

Watch 📺 Jockey banned from all racing premises over ride

Jockey Dylan Kitts has been penalised with a disciplinary officer exclusion directive due to non-compliance with an inquiry regarding his...

Group 1 winner returns positive swab

Racing Victoria stewards are investigating a positive swab from Group 1-winning mare Prowess, the racehorse trained by Roger James and...

Alligator Blood injured, career in doubt

Cult galloper Alligator Blood may have run his last race, with trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott confirming the star galloper had...

Nikita Beriman returns to the saddle

July 1, 2023 to January 26, 2024 … that period represents the just shy of seven months that Nikita Beriman...

Australia's Best Betting Sites

New Betting Sites Australia + Top List Bookmaker Apps $$$

Betting in Australia has never been more popular thanks to a large increase in new betting Agencies and Apps available...

Top 10 – Funniest Race Horse Names

Horse racing. Known as the ‘Sport Of Kings’, an industry worth billions, a very serious business…but to some, it’s a...

Best Horse Betting Sites in Australia

Best Horse Racing Betting Apps and Betting Sites – March 2024

We take a look at the best online betting apps to bet on horse racing in Australia for the month...

Golden Slipper

The Golden Slipper is one of the biggest and most prestigious horse races in Australia. Taking place each April at...

Australian Bookmaker Reviews – Online Bookie Ratings $$

Which bookmaker should you bet with? We Review each of the leading online Australian Bookmakers and rate them in order...

 
 
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au