By Tony McMahon
The Rocky Amateurs Race Club has announced that recently retired Australian record Group 1-winning jockey Damien Oliver will be the official ambassador for 2024 The Archer race day and preceding associated functions in Rockhampton in late April.
The $750,000 weight for age The Archer over 1300 metres is a slot race that was inaugurated in 2022 and has placed Rockhampton racing under the national spotlight.
It has drawn top class starters from such high-profile trainers as Sydney’s Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Chris Waller and Melbourne’s Hayes family.
On Sunday, April 28, The Archer race program will offer a record $1,094,600 in prize money, a massive rise from its baptism in 2022 when worth $440,000 on a day offering $650,000 prize money.
As such, naturally it will be the most lucrative race meeting ever held in the 156 year history of Rockhampton racing and the presence of the ever-popular Oliver is certain to strike an accord with Central Queensland’s racing followers luring them to Callaghan Park.
Rocky Amateurs chairman Bill Reid said his committee was thrilled that Damien had accepted the invitation for the role of “Ambassador for the Rocky Amateurs.”
“We consider it quite a coup to have Damien as our ambassador for Archer day and indeed being present and mixing with the racing fraternity at the club’s other important functions leading up to race day," Reid said.
"Damien will fit the role perfectly as he is a very down-to-earth person with a passion for racing and relishes the opportunity to mix with and meet his legion of followers in Central Queensland.
"Just as was the case with our ambassador last year in Gai Waterhouse, country people get the rare opportunity to meet with the industry’s high-profile stakeholders and personalities. It is rewarding two-fold not only, for want of a better word for their fans but from the feedback Gai provided also for themselves.
"Yes, the club is elated to have Ollie up here for The Archer."
The champion jockey will be the guest at the Rocky Amateurs Calcutta luncheon at the Rockhampton Leagues Club on Friday afternoon, April 26.
At the Rocky Calcutta luncheon, Oliver will be interviewed and available to mix with attendees at the public function.
On the race eve of The Archer on Saturday evening April 27, Damien will be “suited-up” for a glamorous cocktail party hosted by the Rocky Amateurs at Headrick’s Lane in Rockhampton from 6:30pm onwards.
He has never ridden at Callaghan Park but Damien has ridden sole winners at both Mackay and Cairns.
Given the hospitality and district tours provided by the Rocky Amateurs to feature guests over the last two years, Oliver will feel akin to a local when he departs Rockhampton at the conclusion of The Archer Carnival.