Olivieri to step aside from training after major $150,000 Oaks win

Top trainer Ross Olivieri had won most of harness racing’s major races in Western Australia except for the time-honoured WA Oaks.

However, that all changed on Friday night (Oct. 14) at Gloucester Park when his tough little Always B Miki filly Taking The Miki won the $150,000 feature.

“It was the only big race in WA that I haven’t won,” said Olivieri.

“I have won four Derbies, four Slippers, two Nuggets, two Fremantle Cups and a Pacing Cup (WA).

“This now lines all the ducks up.”

Olivieri has been targeting Taking The Miki for the WA Oaks ever since she was a two-year-old.

Now that the 68-year-old mentor’s target has gone to plan, the next step is unknown for Taking The Miki.

“I identified the WA Oaks for her ever since she was two,” the former professional tennis player said.

“I don’t know what the plan is for her now, we will just enjoy this win.

“She had a bad preparation leading into the Oaks with illness and injuries.

“We would start and have to stop again and six to eight weeks ago I thought it was going to be a tight squeeze to get to the Oaks.

“She’s had some shocking draws too and it was about time we got a good draw.”

Taking The Miki drew the plum draw of barrier one for the feature, giving driver Chris Voak options.

Once Sovrana found the lead from barrier nine, Voak settled Taking The Miki behind the pacemaker.

Along the back straight for the final time, Voak snagged back to take Taking The Miki off the pegs that proved to be the winning move.

Once clear, Taking The Miki burst through the pack to grab the victory by a half-head over Little Darling (Art Major) and Acharne Girl (Alta Christiano) a head away in third.

The mile rate for the 2536m feature was 1:59.9.

TAKING THE MIKI REPLAY

“She’s tough and she’s got some speed,” said Olivieri of Taking The Miki.

“We purchased her at the yearling sales for $26,000.”

This victory pushed Taking The Miki’s earnings to $198,180 and she now boasts a record of six wins and 11 placings in 23 starts.

This will most likely be Olivieri’s last major win as a trainer.

For financial reasons, Olivieri will step down as the trainer of his stable at the end of the year as his wife Jemma Hayman will take over.

“At the moment my wife is basically the operations manger and I’m the consultant so nothing will change for our stable, I will just fade away into the background,” said Olivieri.

“With the worker’s compensation insurance going through the roof, Jemma can start as a cleanskin which will save us a lot of money.

“In WA, harness racing worker’s compensation is linked to the thoroughbred rate, and realistically harness racing shouldn’t be on the same rate.

“For every five workers you are basically paying an extra wage for the insurance with no one working.

“I’ve had three claims in my stable which will see my premium bumped up another $30,000.

“To try and pass this cost onto our owners isn’t viable so me stepping down as the trainer is for financial reasons.

“A top thoroughbred trainer by the name of David Harrison is retiring for the same reasons.

“I’ll still be licenced as a trainer but I plan to throw all my eggs in Jemma’s basket.

“I get enjoyment from winning big races but you won’t see my house cluttered with trophies, it was the same when I played tennis.

“The win means something more to me than the trophy, so I will still get the same feeling.”

For complete race results, click here.

by Amanda Rando, for Harnesslink