DAMIEN Oliver clinched the ride on Dandino in next month’s Hong Kong Vase when he rang trainer Marco Botti in England. The conversation swung Oliver over the line for the ride in the $2 million Group 1 at Sha Tin on Sunday, December 8, reports Racing Network.

Darren Dance, whose Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock race Dandino, which finished second in the Caulfield Cup and fifth in the Melbourne Cup, said there had been no shortage of interest from both local, Hong Kong-based and international jockeys.

Dance said Oliver, enjoying a renaissance this spring, was the only jockey to personally ring Botti.

“Marco watched the Melbourne Cup several times and commented to me what a good ride Ollie rode on Fiorente,” Dance said.

“And then when Ollie rang for the ride it all came together.”

Craig Williams rode Dandino in the Caulfield Cup and Ryan Moore rode Dandino in the Melbourne.

Dance said Dandino had come out in “good shape” from his Melbourne Cup start and would leave for Hong Kong later in the month.