Damien Oliver wins final race in the saddle

The perfect ending.

Damien Oliver enjoyed the entree, main and dessert in the last 90 minutes of a 108-day farewell tour.

The GOAT had Perth and Australian racing in raptures on Saturday night as tears and cheers capped an illustrious career in the saddle.

Oliver claimed the last three winners on the Ascot card before a record 8000-strong rollicking Ascot crowd to witness history, as Devine Belief, Magnificent Andy and Munhamek saluted in succession.

Oliver rode for luck in the last – the $1.5 million Damien Oliver Gold Rush – as he had no other option from barrier 17 in a muddling-run race and got every ounce of it.

He went from third last on the rail approaching the home turn to a three-quarter-length winner on the post to complete the fairytale finish.

“It was death or glory at the top of the straight,” Oliver said.

“But I knew, I had a bit of confidence in this horse, he could take the gaps and (trainer) Nick Ryan did a great job with him.

“I just had to point him in the right direction when the gaps came … it was a great feeling.”

Oliver had not ridden a winner since Melbourne Cup Day before Devine Belief “got the monkey off the back”.

When the 51-year-old punched home Magnificent Andy in trademark style for long-time friend and trainer Stephen Miller the stage was set for a big – almost expected – finale.

“The crowd has just been amazing,” Oliver said after his second winner.

“Really getting behind us, it’s like coming back to a Group 1 winner.”

Former jockey Miller ironically was second behind Oliver when he won his first race on Mr Gudbud in Bunbury, 1988.

“It could be history today, it could be his last winner and if it is, to do it with him, I want him to win the next race, but to do it with him, would be fantastic,” Miller said.

The want would become reality as Oliver parted the Gold Rush field aboard Munhamek.

“It’s been overwhelming, the crowd here at Ascot today, what a wonderful reception,” Oliver said.

“I think it’s the biggest crowd I’ve seen here, just the applause and the roar I got for those last three winners, I’ll never forget it.”

Oliver hugged wife Trish and their three children, extended family and friends before the newly-named Damien Oliver Stand and amid a chorus of ‘Ollie, Ollie, Ollie, Oi, Oi, Oi’ chants.

“Dreams do come true, aye.” Oliver said.

“Can I just thank the Perth crowd, you have been amazing, there’s no place like home.”

Ryan grew up idolising Oliver and rode against “the greatest” for several years before weight issues forced a switch to training.

The biggest win of Ryan’s career doubled as Oliver’s last.

“What a ballsy ride!” Ryan said.

“He’s just the greatest. Could you have scripted it? I don’t think so.

“They talk about racing gods, he is a god.

“I’ll never forget it.”