OLIVER HAS SOME THINKING TO DO BEFORE SETTLING ON HIS BLUE DIAMOND RIDE.

By Graham Potter | Saturday, February 13, 2021

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 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.”