Damien Oliver’s failed appeal against the 20-race ban he was handed for improper riding during the Cox Plate has opened the door for Frankie Dettori, who will take over riding duties aboard the highly-fancied Almandin in this year’s Melbourne Cup.
Oliver, the three-time Cup-winning jockey, was charged by racing stewards for attempting to push his horse, Happy Clapper, into the smaller Royal Symphony – and force Royal Symphony off his line.
On Monday, chief steward Terry Bailey told the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board that Oliver’s actions were “mindful, intentional” and “deliberate” and compromised the safety of both horse and rider.
Trainer Tony McEvoy said he felt “sick” watching his colt Royal Symphony being hemmed in throughout the race by the 550kg Happy Clapper. McEvoy said his horse came away from the race with cuts and bruises, and went so far as to suggest that Oliver should have had his licence suspended indefinitely.
Minutes after Oliver’s appeal failed, Nick Williams – part-owner of 2016 Melbourne Cup winner Almandin – announced Dettori would be riding the 2017 Cup favourite.
Dettori rode Wicklow Brave when Almandin won in 2016. A year previously, he was given a one-month riding ban and fine of $20,000 for causing interference on Max Dynamite, who finished a length behind the winner, Prince of Penzance, at Flemington Racecourse.
Dettori first competed in the Melbourne Cup 24 years ago, with this year arguably his best chance to ride the winner.
“I’ve been trying for so many years to win the Melbourne Cup,” he wrote in an online column. “Obviously I am very grateful that I have the ride on Almandin, although it was in difficult circumstances. I am very sad for Damien Oliver.
“I have been good friends with Lloyd Williams for over 20 years now and he takes me under his wing every time I come to Australia. My wife’s mum is Australian and her father is a New Zealander so this means a lot to the family.
“It is one of the biggest races worldwide.”
Dettori will be in the US riding English horse Ulysses in the Breeders’ Cup on Saturday, and will not ride in Australia before Cup day on 7 November.
Almandin takes good form into this year’s Cup, having won the JRA Trophy and finishing fourth in the Bart Cummings – both at Flemington.
