Racing: Zavite and Oliver too classy for Kiwi rivals

Melbourne jockey Damien Oliver brings Zavite back to scale after showing the Kiwi stayers a clean pair of heels. Photo / Natalie Slade

It looked like a breath-holding ride, but Sydney trainer Anthony Cummings knew Damien Oliver was in the driver's seat and took a normal breath.

And his heart rate stayed the same as Oliver drove Zavite well clear of the $1 million Stella Artois Auckland Cup field at Ellerslie last night.

Sydney-trained Zavite was the smallest horse carrying the biggest weight (57.5kg) in the race and being the first to make your run before the home turn would have normally looked like suicide.

Cummings not only had the staying pedigree of his father, the great Bart Cummings, going for him, he knew he also had Damien Oliver's record-breaking remarkable record as a world-class jockey.

Oliver rode one of the most astute races of his startling career.

Only the very best have the heart and courage to defy the norm.

Melbourne-based Oliver knew he'd be vilified if Zavite was run down after he drove him clear under his big weight before the home bend, but did it anyway because he knew it was his best option.

It was extremely calculated.

"I could see the other main chances were going nowhere - they weren't going as well as we were, so I decided my best chance was to go for it."

Cummings had explicit faith in his rider.

He told his syndicate of owners before the race when asked what his instructions to the jockey would be: "If I have to tell Damien how to ride this horse I've brought the wrong jockey across."

Zavite looked the fittest, most settled horse in the Cup parade.

His general demeanour overcame his lack of size. The race was run at a hectic pace as the 3.18.96 suggests.

"We settled further back than I'd thought, but there was genuine pace on and I wasn't worried," said Oliver.

"When I let him down he went around them quickly and I knew he'd be difficult to pick up."

Oliver has been a reasonably regular visitor to New Zealand, but couldn't remember riding a winner at Ellerslie since So Casual won the Derby in 1998.

He also won a Wellington Cup at Trentham on Southerner Ed.

"His [Zavite's] form hadn't been outstanding before he won last start, but he's come right at the right time and that was a top win."

Cummings said he had to do a bit of work to settle on Zavite's programme.

"I guess the Sydney Cup is in the frame, but it's not always run on good ground like this race was today.

"There is always another crack at the Melbourne Cup."

Zavite has had three starts at 3200m for wins in the Adelaide Cup and Auckland Cup and an unplaced run in last November's Melbourne Cup.

Cummings was delighted with the million-dollar stake.

"It puts New Zealand on the world stage and if the country keeps offering similar money we'll be back to try and win it."