Champion jockey Damien Oliver may have to wait another year to claim a record equalling fourth win in the Melbourne Cup, following that news that his mount Durston won’t be taking his place in the race - reports
"The last start Caulfield Cup winners compulsory CT scans showed a ‘grey area’ and a small lesion in his left hind leg, and as a result, Racing Victoria’s vets recommended that he was unsuitable to take his place in the Melbourne Cup field." Edward Sadler on
Racing.com
"In a year where there are several lightweight runners in the race, and given the timing of the Durston news, it looks unlikely that Oliver will be able to find a replacement ride in the Cup.
However, Oliver’s fans shouldn’t completely give up hope, given that James McDonald’s initial mount in last year’s Melbourne Cup, Away He Goes, was withdrawn in the week leading up to the race due to a tendon injury, before McDonald famously reunited with champion mare Verry Elleegant for a dominant win on the biggest stage in Australian racing."