DEMAND for Damien Oliver in big races continues with the Hall of Fame jockey today booked for Ferlax in Saturday’s Toorak Handicap. Trainer Jim Conlan engaged Oliver for Ferlax, which has been ridden in all three of his starts this campaign by Stephen Baster.
Baster partnered Ferlax to win the Group Australian Guineas at Flemington back in March.
In the past 48 hours Oliver has landed the plum rides on Fiorente in the Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup as well as the David Hayes-trained Jet Away in the Caulfield Cup.
Oliver, who resumed last month from an eight month disqualification and tweo month suspension after being embroiled in a betting scandal, rides Prince Harada, the second favourite for the Caulfield Guineas. It’s been 23 years since Oliver rode his sole Caulfield Guineas winner on Centro.
The Toorak Handicap is one of the few Group 1 races that Oliver, who sits on 97 Group 1 winners, hasn’t won.