Damien Oliver hopeful of final Melbourne Cup ride
Damien Oliver will not know until official scratching time on Tuesday if he will add to his 31 rides in the Melbourne Cup.
But the champion jockey remains hopeful the Mike Moroney-trained gelding Alenquer will be able to take his spot on the Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.
The Moroney stable reported on Sunday that Alenquer was displaying signs of soreness in his left fore foot courtesy of a stone bruise.
Following a Racing Victoria veterinary inspection on Monday, Alenquer was still displaying soreness.
“The horse continued to show signs of soreness in the near fore foot as a result of the stone bruise which was reported yesterday,” RV released in a statement.
“Alenquer will be re-examined by RV veterinarians tomorrow morning prior to final scratching time (7:30am) to determine its suitability to race.”
Oliver said he had spoken to the Moroney stable and was hopeful Alenquer would be right to take his place on Tuesday.
“I spoke to Mike this morning and he seems confident he will get there,” Oliver said.
“With feet it’s a day-to-day sort of thing. It’s not like it’s a tendon or a bone injury.
“One day they can be no good, and the next they are OK, so it’s all timing, but if I’m going to be riding, I want to be on a fit, healthy horse.
“If the horse is not right, he’s not right.
“I’ve ridden in enough Melbourne Cups and just to have a ride for the sake of going around, I know it is my last, but I want the horse to be right to go there.”
Oliver rode Alenquer at his most recent start in the Moonee Valley Cup when finishing ninth and believes if the gelding starts on Tuesday, he will perform better than his price suggests.
“I think he’s finding form at the right time, so I think he’ll run closer to the front than the back, that’s for sure.”
Oliver is riding at his last Melbourne Cup Carnival before retiring next month and is looking to add to his record of three Melbourne Cup victories and join Harry White and Bobbie Lewis as the most winningest jockey in Melbourne Cup history.
Alenquer is rated a $41 chance with online bookmakers.
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