Still, trainer Anabel Neasham told Racing Victoria stewards the British-bred Zaaki had acted previously on firm surfaces and pointed the finger more at the hoop, saying Zaaki “would have been better suited allowed to stride”.

Williams was also queried by stewards regarding his shortage of daylight on Brooklyn Hustle, which finished fifth after being back and in turmoil following considerable support into 13/4, in the Northwood Plume. Brooklyn Hustle finished fifth.

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Yes, Williams has been outstanding a long time, and statisticians have doubted Ollie recently. Racing And Sports jockey ratings only had him at 1.8 out of five for the Caulfield Guineas, with Damian Lane, who handled Artorius, the barrier brumby who got left hopelessly, the highest in the event on 4.3.

Maybe Artorius needs an equine shrink as well as a capable rider. But a champion’s touch, sometimes dimmed by age, revives - apparent with Ollie on Anamoe, with James Cummings at the helm of the massive Godolphin operation, to give him his 123rd Group 1 winner. Oliver has now won majors for three generations of the Cummings family, grandfather Bart as well as father Anthony.

Obviously, Dolan has a long journey to get near Ollie and Prebble, but he rode Profondo like a master. He didn’t wait for a rival to trail from an awkward gate, using instinct and horse sense to utilise the colt’s ability more so than some plan devised by an armchair tactician.

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