Devastating news for champion Melbourne Cup jockey Damien Oliver

Aussie horse racing icon Damien Oliver has been given some sad news by Racing Victoria vets surrounding his final Melbourne Cup appearance.

Champion jockey Damien Oliver’s hopes of a fairy tale final run in the Melbourne Cup have taken another blow with Racing Victoria vets giving a sad assessment of Cup runner Alenquer.

Oliver is clinging to hope his ride will recover for Tuesday’s 3200m race, but the $101 outsider is now further in doubt following a Racing Victoria assessment on Monday morning.

The six year-old gelding pulled up sore after suffering a stone bruise while doing trackwork.

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All eyes were on Alenquer at Monday morning’s compulsory pre-race inspections, and the condition of the horse was the first announcement made by Racing Victoria.

RV announced the horse has not been scratched but connections will have to wait until Tuesday morning to learn if the horse will be cleared to run in the $8 million Cup.

Jockey Damien Oliver. Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images.

Racing Victoria said Alenquer “continued to show signs of soreness in the near fore foot as a result of the stone bruise which was reported (Sunday)”.

“Alenquer will be re-examined by RV veterinarians Tuesday morning prior to final scratching time (7.30am) to determine its suitability to race,” they said.

“A further update will be provided on all other Melbourne Cup runners Monday afternoon once the second pre-race veterinary inspections are completed.”

Trainer Mike Moroney was still confident about the horse’s health on Sunday.

“He seems fine. It’s minimal,” Moroney said.

“It just depends on how long the bruise takes to come out. We have 48 hours, so we will just see how we go. It’s only a bruise.”

“He is not without a chance. I’ve got a great trainer who knows how to win the Cup and seems to be finding form at the right time,” Oliver said of Alenquer.

Moroner said it would be fantastic to be involved in Oliver’s last ever ride.

“It’ll be great to be a part of his fairytale, wouldn’t it. Don’t mind being a part of that. He’s had 31 rides and I’ve had 24 runners so we’re both seasoned.”

Alenquer’s injury has put Damien Oliver’s Melbourne Cup farewell in doubt. (Morgan Hancock/Racing Photos via Getty Images)

Considered one of Australia’s greatest ever jockeys, Oliver has won the Melbourne Cup three times with Doriemus (1995), Media Puzzle (2002) and Fiorente (2013).

The 52-year-old’s victory aboard Media Puzzle was the most famous of his career, as Oliver saluted the heavens as he passed the post in honour of his brother Jason, who died in a track fall.

Oliver is in good form, having claimed two wins on Derby Day including steering Kalapour to victory in the Archer Stakes to secure a place in the Melbourne Cup.

This year's Melbourne Cup was set to be Oliver’s 32nd and last run in the great race.

Speaking to the Herald Sun earlier this year after announcing his retirement, Oliver was looking forward to having another crack at the Melbourne Cup.

“It’s good to get one on my last dance, you might call it,” he said.

Damien Oliver has won the Melbourne Cup three times. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

“It’s much better to be a part of it than watching on the sidelines. You’ve got more chance of winning it if you’re in it … so it will be great to be a part of it.

“Obviously, winning the Melbourne Cup is quite life changing and to win it three times is very special to me.

“They are all favourites, it’s a bit like your kids, it’s hard to separate them. They have all provided great memories for different reasons.

“The last one a decade ago on Fiorente was obviously memorable, riding Gai’s first Cup winner.

“But the win on Media Puzzle will always be exceptionally special to me, it was a very emotional time.”

The Melbourne Cup will be held on Tuesday at 3pm AEDT.

Originally published as Devastating news for champion Melbourne Cup jockey Damien Oliver