DAMIEN Oliver is a shock scratching from Friday’s $170,000 Albury Gold Cup.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The champion hoop has been left without a mount after the Peter Gelagotis-trained Hvasstan was forced to withdraw late yesterday due to injury.
Oliver’s manager, Mark Van Triet, said the triple Melbourne Cup-winning jockey would still ride at the meeting but was highly unlikely to secure a suitable mount for the Riverina’s richest race.
“Unfortunately there is an issue with Hvasstan and the horse won’t be running on Friday,” Van Triet said.
“With the late notice there is not much chance of gaining a late pick-up ride in the cup.
“It’s unfortunate but that looks the way it’s going to pan out.
“Damien has ruled out riding any of the bottom weighted horses in the cup because he doesn’t want to be wasting with the Rosehill Guineas meeting the following day.
“I suppose the positive is he is still committed to coming and will have at least three rides at the meeting.”
Oliver has been booked to ride the Gerald Ryan-trained Fastcar in the $50,000 Albury Guineas (1400m).
Inglis provides a $50,000 bonus to the winner if nominated for the series.
He will also partner Rose Of Falvelon in the Flat Knacker and Sadaqa in the $20,000 Class 3, Handicap (1400-metres).
The six-time Scobie Breasley medal winner also has several strong rides on the bumper George Ryder Stakes meeting at Rosehill next day.
Oliver will ride Speediness in the $1 million feature and the Anthony Cummings-trained Thunder Fantasy in the $500,000 Rosehill Guineas.
He won the 2007 Albury Gold Cup on Hofmeister.
The final field will be declared at 9am today.