Damien Oliver Gold Rush – 2023

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

There is a full field of 16 runners plus 3 emergencies for the $1,500,000 Damien Oliver Gold Rush with 15 geldings, 3 mares and a filly. There are two three-year-olds, three four-year-olds, two five-year-olds, four six-year-olds, five seven-year-olds and three eight-year-olds. Seven runners had their last start in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes over 1200m at Ascot on 2nd December, three in the Group 1 Railway Stakes over 1600m at Ascot on 25th November, two in the Group 1 Northerly Stakes over 1800m at Ascot on 9th December, two in the Listed Carbine Club of WA Stakes over 1400 on 25th November and two in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes over 1400m at Caulfield on 18th November, while the other 3 came via different races. Three runners are sired by Playing God and two by Deep Field. Trainers Sean & Jake Casey have 2 runners.

The early favourite is Ripcord who was 3rd in the Winterbottom Stakes. Second favourite is Super Smink who is an emergency and was placed in the Group 2 WA Guineas last start. Third favourite is Comfort Me who finished 7th in the Railway. Ayrton is an eastern states raider coming from 6rh in the Rupert Clarke. Bustler was 4th in the Northerly, while Munhamek is another eastern state raider coming via the Rupert Clarke. The other runners are currently $12 or longer.

1. Dom To Shoot (14)

Winner of the Group 1 Northerly Stakes over 1800m at Ascot on 9th December

2. Valour Road (16)

Won the Group 2 Lee Steere Stakes over 1400m at Ascot on 11th November.

3. Bustler (15)

was 4th in the Northerly

4. Munhamek (17)

eastern state raider coming via the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes over 1400m at Caulfield on 18th November

5. Red Can Man (8)

4th in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes over 1200m at Ascot on 2nd December,

6. Massimo (7)

Was 6th in the Group 1 Railway Stakes over 1600m at Ascot on 25th November

7. Comfort Me (3)

finished 7th in the Railway.

8. Savatoxl (1)

Coming soon

9. Hot Zed (19)

Coming soon

10. Ayrton (11)

an eastern states raider coming from 6th in the Rupert Clarke.

11. Resortman (10)

Coming soon

12. Laverrod (13)

Coming soon

13. My Bella Mae (18)

Coming soon

14. Baby Paris (2)

Won the Listed Jungle Dawn Classic over 1400m at Ascot on 2nd December.

15. Karli’s Karma (6)

Coming soon

16. Ripcord (9)

was 3rd in the Winterbottom Stakes

17e. Let’s Galahvant (4)

Won the Listed Carbine Club of WA Stakes over 1400m at Ascot on 25th November.

18e. Super Smink (12)

An emergency and was placed in the Group 2 WA Guineas over 1600m at Ascot on 25th November last start.

19e. Magnificent Andy (5)

Coming soon

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo Jackson’s Tips

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	4 Munhamek
2nd	16 Ripcord	0.52 length
3rd	7 Comfort Me	1.17 lengths
4th	3 Bustler	1.98 lengths

The track was rated as Good 4.

Scratchings: 18e. Let’s Galahvant, 18e. Super Smink, 19e. Magnificent Andy.