Tangling with the mighty Winx has taken a lot out of many good horses, but Damien Oliver isn't worried that his Caulfield Cup mount Ventura Storm has been flattened by the Winx effect.
Oliver is chasing a fifth Caulfield Cup win, with the champion jockey hoping to add to wins on Mannerism (1992), Paris Lane (1994), Doriemus (1995) and Sky Heights (1999).
It would equal Scobie Breasley's record of five wins in the 2400m handicap.
European import Ventura Storm will be having his fifth Australian start when he lines up in the Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday, coming a fortnight after he ran second behind Winx in the Group I Turnbull Stakes at Flemington.
The David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig trained import tried his heart out in being beaten 6.5 lengths by Winx and he finished ¾ length in front of fellow Caulfield Cup contender Humidor.
Several horses who have finished second behind Winx recently have taken some ill effects from those runs, including the likes of Foxplay, Ecuador and Red Excitement.
Mind you, Happy Clapper won the Group I Epsom Handicap after he went down to Winx in his previous start in the Group I George Main Stakes.
Regardless, Oliver isn't concerned.
"Ventura Storm had to have a solid run before the Caulfield Cup anyway," Oliver said.
"I suppose you can only take on what is there, and that was Winx that day in the Turnbull.
"The Turnbull is the traditional lead-up to the Caulfield Cup and I thought Ventura Storm ran really well.
"I suppose the fact that Winx was in it might have changed a few people's ideas of going there.
"But you can only run well against what is there, and Ventura Storm ran well.
"He seemed to hit the line in good fashion and if you take Winx out of the race he would have been the first one across the line.
"He beat Humidor home."
Oliver believes it is one of the more open Caulfield Cups he has seen but is happy to riding the $11 chance.
Ventura Storm won six races in Europe before coming to Australia and Oliver thinks he is a good chance of breaking his Aussie duck on Saturday.
"It's a very even Cup and he's a good chance," Oliver said.
"I was happy with him when I galloped him on Monday.
"You would think that 2400m would be ideal for him, he has had a nice campaign."
