Playing God mare Devine Belief kicked off a memorable winning treble that couldn’t be scripted any better for champion jockey Damien Oliver at Ascot on Saturday.
Oliver announced retirement plans earlier this season and decided to bow out back where it all started in Perth. A bumper crowd sensed something special when Devine Belief scored as she liked as a well-backed favourite for the Drummond Golf Hcp (1100m).
The momentum kept building when he booted home Magnificent Andy (Magnus) in the Furphy Hcp (1400m) and it reached a crescendo as he weaved through traffic to win the $1.5 million Damien Oliver Gold Rush on British-bred raider Munhamek (Dark Angel).
“I will never forget the applause I got for those last three wins. The crowd has been amazing. It’s just fantastic and something you don’t ever want to stop feeling.”
Devine Belief (Photos / Western Racepix) is trained by David Harrison for a staunch stable syndicate and the three-length victory improved her record to 5 wins in 9 starts for earnings of $270,245 bolstered by Westspeed Platinum bonuses over $116,000.
“She’s a very good filly and gave me a great feel. I could hear the crowd roar us home,” Oliver said. “It was an amazing reception. Extraordinary.”
Harrison bought her for $130,000 from Willaview Park at the 2021 Perth Magic Millions. Bred by Steve Wolfe and Noel Carter, she is the penultimate foal from Alchemic (Tribu) who won five races for Graeme and Colin Webster in Perth and another six for Steve Wolfe in Albany.
Her Playing God 2yo stablemate Noahquintilly is also showing early ability for Harrison and owner-breeders Robin and Gail Humberston. She won a Lark Hill trial last Monday and is related to G3 Black Opal Stakes (1200m) winner Uber (Shovhog).
Darling View stallion Playing God is Western Australia’s reigning Champion Sire and he has maintained a flawless record during the last six Saturday meetings at Ascot.
December 16
DEVINE BELIEF (Drummond Golf Hcp)
December 9
PLAYZ WITH FIRE (Westspeed Platinum Series Final)
December 2
INVESTMENTSTRATEGY (LR Sir Ernest Lee-Steere Classic)
BABY PARIS (LR Jungle Dawn Classic)
DEVINE BELIEF (Quayclean Hcp)
November 25
BUSTLER (G1 Railway Stakes)
ZIPAWAY (G2 WA Guineas)
November 18
MOJO RHYTHM (G3 R.J. Peters Stakes)
HOLY ENCHANTMENT (Amelia Park Hcp)
November 11
INVESTMENTSTRATEGY (LR Fairetha Stakes)
