Damien Oliver has put the controversy of betting scandal aside to pilot Commanding Jewel to a decisive win in the Group One Thousand Guineas at Caulfield.
Trainer Leon Corstens and the filly’s owners had no hesitation sticking with the champion jockey who is under investigation by stewards over allegations he had a $10,000 bet in a race in 2010.
Commanding Jewel winning the Schweppes Thousand Guineas at Caulfield - photo by Race Horse Photos Australia (Steven Dowden)
Commanding Jewel, a half sister to last year’s Thousand Guineas winner Atlantic Jewel, was a decisive winner over Dear Demi with Oliver taking control of the race at the top of the straight.
“I had no second thoughts about keeping Damien on,” Corstens said.
“Why would I? He’s the best in Australia. He knows her and it would have been stupid to change.”
Oliver, who has been dumped from rides in the Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate since the allegations surfaced, thanked connections for staying with him.
“I can’t thank Leon enough and all the owners who stuck by me,” he said.
“I’ve been through a lot worst than this and will come through it.”
