Champion jockey Damien Oliver refreshed and back in winner’s circle

The aptly named Refreshing has given champion jockey Damien Oliver his first winner back since a golfing holiday in the US.

Oliver and a group of golfing tragic mates had a two-week break in the US playing some of that country’s best, and exclusive, golf clubs.

The champion jockey said it was ‘bucket list’ break where he played nine rounds of golf over 14 days and almost scored a hole-in-one at the famous Pebble Beach course.

After one ride at Flemington on Saturday, Oliver was back to work in more serious fashion at Sandown on Wednesday and guided Refreshing to victory in the Renew Your MRC Membership Handicap (1200m).

Oliver had the Mike Moroney-trained filly Refreshing ($4.60) riding the speed before defeating debutant Pickaxe ($14) by 1-¼ lengths with Ortega ($2.90) a half-length away third.

“It was a topical name, Refreshing. I feel refreshed after my break,” Oliver said.

“She jumped cleanly today, and I felt the blinkers on today improved her.

“She was able to be in a more prominent position today with the blinkers on which I think helped her.

“It was a good tough effort.

“Mike said to me at Flemington on Saturday that he thought he had a winner for me on Wednesday and his judgement was proved right.”

Glen Thompson, Moroney’s assistant-trainer, said ‘the boss’ had always held Refreshing in high regard despite it taking until start number six to register her first win.

Thompson said the addition of blinkers had played a role in Wednesday’s victory.

“She’s put a couple of good runs together but just hasn’t quite finished off the way Mike would have liked,” Thompson said.

“So, he put the blinkers on today. She had a jump-out in them last week and they clearly have done the job today.

“She definitely likes a bit of give in the ground, so it’s a good time of year to have her in and hopefully she can keep on winning.”