By Mike Dillon
Whatever it cost the Auckland Racing Club to get Damien Oliver and Chris Munce to Ellerslie the money was magnificently spent.
Unquestionably they go into the record book as the stars of four days at Ellerslie.
As Lance O'Sullivan said yesterday morning as he was nervously waiting to resume riding at Taupo after 14 months: "What Damien and Chris did at the carnival is something we haven't seen here for a good while."
It was the best incentive O'Sullivan can have for getting back to his peak in the quickest possible time.
Oliver won the Derby on So Casual, he and Munce shared the honours in a Railway Handicap that will be talked about for years, and Munce took home the group two Owners Federation Trophy on Saturday aboard Tall Poppy.
No bash and crash in any of them.
The Derby ride was as close to perfection as you get, but it wasn't just Oliver's winning rides that impressed.
On Saturday he found himself locked away behind the leaders on So Casual's stablemate Snagol at the 220m in a supporting race, but resisted all temptation to barge out and unbalance the horse.
Even when the gap came he must have known he was running close to being too late, but he coolly left it for three strides before he pressed the afterburner to ensure Snagol's balance remained intact.
The brilliant finishing dash Snagol produced showed the benefit of that balance.
They failed by a head to pick up Straight Back, but it wasn't Oliver's fault and only one word describes his ride - brilliance.
It was also a clever ride by Peter Johnson on Straight Back to keep Oliver pocketed.
No one likes to see horses lose group one races in the inquiry room and Dantelah's relegation and Bawalaksana's promotion in the Railway was at best unfortunate.
You can argue the merits of the judicial decision for weeks.
My opinion is that Dantelah should have kept the race, but in saying that the decision was not greatly inconsistent with many such relegations we have seen in recent times.
It's just that I don't agree with many of those relegations. I believe to take a race off a horse, there has to be absolutely no doubt the effected horse would have won under any circumstances.
I believe there was sufficient doubt Bawalaksana could have/should have taken the gap between Dantelah and Samboa between the 350 and 220m.
But it's simply a matter of opinion on what system is best and the only factor that really matters in all that is consistency.
The Dantelah camp, somewhat perplexed, took their hiding with dignity and went home.
The carnival in brief:
Most notable absentee: Sir Michael Fay, who did not travel from Europe to see his horse Irish Chance win the Auckland Cup. But then one of the owners did not make it down from the Bay Of Islands to see Jezabeel win last year either.
Best ride: Damien Oliver's Derby effort on So Casual. Painted a pretty picture all the way round.
Greatest milestone: Damien Oliver's 1000th win aboard Savannah Success.
Most gracious losers: Damien Oliver and the Dantelah camp.
Most emotional owner: Ian Dobson and he didn't win a race. He was in tears over the reception given Christain Cullen on the grass at Ellerslie.
"Better than any of his wins," he said.
Second-biggest headshaker: Del Coronado winning the Queen Elizabeth.
Biggest headshaker: Del Coronado winning the weight-for-age JRA Classic. The suggestion to have him put down last year is starting to look pretty silly.
Biggest flop: Tristachine. But don't make the mistake of thinking you've heard the last of her.
Biggest buzz: The feeling in the crowd on Boxing Day.
Best entrepreneurs: The kids who allegedly charged racegoers 50c each to use the free Port-A-Loos in the centre of the track on Boxing Day. Another Eric Watson there.
Most impressive up-and-coming winner: Unquestionably Prince Phoenix. Turned on a fantastic finishing sprint, yet his future is as a stayer. Could be special if he stays sound.
Best quote: Racing carnivals provide a buzz. Certain people add the character and colour. One is Noel Simpson, one of New Zealand's greatest racing ambassadors in both horse codes for more than 60 years.
Simpson rarely misses a race meeting and has been to every one of the Alexandra Park and Ellerslie racedays.
On Saturday morning his daughter Noelle asked Simpson, a week out from his 93rd birthday, if he might be too tired to attend the last day of the Ellerslie carnival.
Said Simpson: "Better to be worn out than left out."
Horse Racing: Visiting jockeys highlight of carnival
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