Trainer Robbie Griffiths is hoping Damien Oliver's hunger for an eighth Melbourne jockeys' title will translate into success for his stable at Sale.Oliver will ride highly fancied Beltrois in the Danzero at Arrowfield Handicap (1210m) and stablemate Midnight Blues in the in the Cyril Beechey Handicap (1410m) at Wednesday's Melbourne Racing Club meeting.Griffiths, who also has the Dean Holland mount Scion running in the Yangtze Handicap, said Beltrois was his best chance on the program despite dr
Trainer Robbie Griffiths is hoping Damien Oliver's hunger for an eighth Melbourne jockeys' title will translate into success for his stable at Sale.
Oliver will ride highly fancied Beltrois in the Danzero at Arrowfield Handicap (1210m) and stablemate Midnight Blues in the in the Cyril Beechey Handicap (1410m) at Wednesday's Melbourne Racing Club meeting.
Griffiths, who also has the Dean Holland mount Scion running in the Yangtze Handicap, said Beltrois was his best chance on the program despite drawing wide in barrier 11.
"I'm optimistic the barrier won't be too much of a negative," Griffiths said.
"He has been drawing ordinary barriers all preparation and it has cost him, but on a winter track they might get to the centre of the track anyway at Sale and get out wider to fresh lanes in the straight."
A Stony Creek winner, Beltrois hasn't finished further back than fourth in his six starts and possibly should have won his last two runs when he flew home to finish on the losing end of a three-way photo at Sandown and half head second to Bertronic at Flemington on July 4.
"He (Beltrois) probably got to them a little bit soon at Flemington but that was the way the race panned out and he got beaten a fraction by what looks like is a pretty good horse," Griffiths said.
"He came out of that run in good order and I think he could make amends this time.
"He has done nothing wrong and he deserves to break through."
Oliver returned this week from a 10-day overseas holiday to resume his battle for the premiership after taking a one win lead over arch rival Craig Williams at Flemington on July 4.
Williams regained the lead on Saturday when Denman scored at Sandown but Sale holds some good memories for Oliver who rode five winners there in 2000.
Griffiths said Midnight Blues would find it hard from barrier 12 but Oliver could make up for the gate.
"She didn't have the best of luck at her last two starts when ninth at both Moonee Valley and Sandown but she is the right race to be competitive," Griffiths said.
Oliver's other rides at Sale are Kyneton debut winner Ashaki for Mick Price in the Cecil Godby Handicap, Savquaw in the Yangtze Handicap and last start Sandown winner What's The Mail in the Betfair Handicap.
Williams has seven rides on Pavarotti, Distant Harmony, Validator, Twentyone Guns, Prospect, China Causeway and Take The Cash.