Oliver eyes big four
Not for the first time in his extraordinary life, Damien Oliver today sits at the edge of greatness.
On a roller-coaster ride in the saddle of some of the world's best thoroughbreds, Oliver has galloped through a plethora of big race wins in a sport that claimed the lives of his father Ray and brother Jason and left him with his own serious injuries, including a fractured spine, and had him suspended for eight months for betting on a rival horse.
But it is the emphatic fashion in which the 42-year-old has consistently bounced back from his down times that has served to further enhance his status as a champion.
On Saturday, Oliver again brought that reputation to the fore when he rode Happy Trails to victory in the Mackinnon Stakes and backed it up with a typically superb Victoria Derby upset aboard Preferment.
Today, when he launches into the saddle of Irish stayer Mutual Regard, he will have the chance to equal the riding record of four wins only other two men have achieved in the cup. Bobby Lewis (1902, 1915, 1919 and 1927) and Harry White (1974, 1975, 1978 and 1979) both snared the coveted cup four times.
Glen Boss, who took legendary mare Makybe Diva to three consecutive Melbourne Cup victories, will ride Who Shot Thebarman today for his chance to also equal the record.
"That's obviously very exciting," Oliver said after taking part in yesterday's Melbourne Cup parade ahead of his 25th ride in the famous race. "Bossy and I are on three winners each and four is the record, so it would be amazing to share a record in the Melbourne Cup like that."
But Oliver said he would have a little work to do this morning to waste down to Mutual Regard's 55kg handicap. "I'll wake up, I'll probably have a piece of toast or something and half a cup of coffee, do a bit of form and then get in the sauna," he said. "I'll be sweating it out like most mornings, trying to get the weight right. I've still got a little bit to lose."
Oliver has ridden Mutual Regard in just one track gallop in the lead-up to today's race, but has spent time studying the six-year-old gelding's form in Britain for trainer Johnny Murtagh.
"I had one sit on him and he's pretty casual in his track work," he said.
"But Johnny told me not to take too much notice of that because he's a different horse on race day."
