Damien Oliver’s winning comeback wasn’t the only Perth connection for Divine Calling at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

Divine Calling (3g Stratum – Rubicall by Rubiton) was always in the box seat and travelling sweetly for Oliver in the Vitale & Sons Hcp (1500m).  The champion jockey was back in the saddle after a term of disqualification for betting offences.

“It’s great to be back,” he said.  “This horse is in the Caulfield Guineas and he could go even further than 1600 metres.

“He just relaxes and conserves all his energy and has got a nice turn of foot,” Oliver added.  “He hasn’t got the pedigree but could even be a Derby horse.”

Oliver has ridden four Victorian Derby winners since arriving from Perth – Redding (1992), Amalfi (2001), Elvstroem (2003) and Fiveandahalfstar (2012).

Divine Calling is trained by Gai Waterhouse for a partnership that includes her daughter Kate, daughter-in-law Hoda, Gerry Harvey and Perth owners Alan and Sue Olive.  He won a Canterbury maiden second time out and then finished fourth to Safeguard in the G2 Kindergarten Stakes at Randwick.

Waterhouse gave him a final run for the season at Hawkesbury in May but he bumped into Zoustar and did well to finish a length second behind to the winner.

The Olives own Gold Front Thoroughbreds at Bullsbrook and they also race Florid Affair with the same connections as Divine Calling.  Florid Affair (Sebring) was a brilliant four-length winner at Warwick Farm in April and she has been nominated for the $250,000 Blue Sapphire Stakes at Caulfield on October 12.

The Olives have installed Redoute’s Choice stallion Slater as Gold Front’s foundation stallion at their new property north of Perth.  He was a brilliant winner on debut at Canterbury and followed up with another victory at Rosehill before going amiss.

– Karl Patterson