Oliver Free to Ride at Flemington

Star jockey Damien Oliver has successfully appealed an 11-meeting suspension meaning he is free to ride at Flemington on Saturday.

It comes as a relief to a number of trainers with the Melbourne Cup-winning jockey booked to ride an impressive card at the Turnbull Stakes meeting.

Racing Victoria officials upheld Oliver’s appeal against the 11-meeting ban which was incurred for his ride on Elite Elle at Moonee Valley on Friday night where he was deemed to have caused interference when slowing quickly in front of other horses.

Stewards said his actions caused interference to Hoss Amor, Saturn Rock and Valid Contract with other runners Dinkum Diamond, Dashitude and Clinking also affected as a result of the slowing which occurred at the 900m mark.

Among Oliver’s book of rides for Saturday are Commanding Jewel in the Edward Manifold Stakes, Rekindled Interest in the Turnbull Stakes and Tanby in the Bart Cummings.

It will be the final start before the Thousand Guineas for Commanding Jewel while Rekindled Interest will be getting a tune up ahead of a second tilt at the Cox Plate after finishing third in the prestigious $3 million race last year.

Tanby is nominated for both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups and was last seen running fourth in the JRA Stakes (2500m) at Moonee Valley on September 15.

Oliver will also ride My Little Friend in the Maribyrnong Trial, Villa Splendido in the Vintage Stakes, Raspberries in the Blazer Stakes, Liveandletdie in the Gilgai Stakes, Torio’s Quest in the Tavern Stakes and is booked for first emergency Sekiguchi in the UCI Stakes.

About The Author