18 October 2022 | Tim Walker
Reinsman Chris Voak says Taking The Miki’s win in Friday night’s The Trots-WA Oaks (2536m) is still sinking in, after the filly upstaged her more fancied rivals.
Taking The Miki prevailed in a thrilling finish to the $150,000 feature, beating Little Darling by a half-head.
It was Voak’s first Group 1 win for trainer Ross Olivieri, who he has driven for 13 years.
Voak said it was an emotional win and he was pleased to deliver Olivieri his first win in the only Group 1 in WA he had yet to win.
“Ross and I both hoped, rather than expected to get the win,” Voak told TABradio.
“We never really spoke about winning it.
“We spoke about getting in the right position, so if the horse was good enough she would be given every chance and It’d be up to her to stick her neck out when it counted.
“It was a good moment for Ross, and he’s completed his trophy collection.”
Voak said he owed a lot of his success to Olivieri, who will soon retire from training.
“When I started driving, I was 21, I was very raw and I didn’t really have any big stable behind me,” he said.
“I had no experience driving any good horses or even driving.
“He built the foundation for me to drive at a level that was competitive with the best drivers in Australia.
“That I owe to him, not only for his tutelage, but the opportunity to drive very good horses and learn the craft.”
The WA Oaks win was the highlight of an otherwise frustrating season for Voak, who has notched up 51 wins.
Voak said it had been a testing season and a reminder of how tough the caper is.
“It’s an emotional rollercoaster,” he said.
“When you’re high and winning, you’re celebrating and everything is good.
“The next day you’re just participating.
“The biggest thing I’ve learned is to never give up and keep pushing forward.
“It’s a great sport and I love it.”
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