Trainer Mike Moroney dares to dream of 2023 Melbourne Cup fairytale for Damien Oliver and Alenquer

A farewell Melbourne Cup victory for Damien Oliver would be a great thrill for trainer Mike Moroney but Alenquer’s spot in the race will hinge on a vet inspection.

Alenquer’s spot in the Melbourne Cup is in doubt. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

Legendary jockey Damien Oliver’s farewell Melbourne Cup ride is in doubt after Michael Moroney-trained Alenquer presented with a stone bruise.

Moroney advised Racing Victoria stewards of the minor issue on Sunday after trackwork on Sunday.

Alenquer must undergo an examination on Monday, as part of the mandatory pre-race veterinary inspections for the Melbourne Cup, to be passed suitable to compete in the 3200m Group 1.

Alenquer is rated a $51 chance with TAB. His price fluctuated on Sunday from as high as $81.

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Moroney was daring to dream of being a part of a fairytale Melbourne Cup farewell for Oliver after his imported galloper drew perfectly in barrier nine for Tuesday’s big race.

Moroney, who won the Cup with Brew in 2000 and was second with Emissary last year, said it would be one of his greatest thrills in racing if he could send Oliver off with a fourth victory in the famous race before his retirement at the end of the year.

“It would be great to be a part of the fairytale, wouldn’t it,” Moroney said on Saturday night after the barrier draw.

“I don’t mind being a part of that.

“As you know, he (Oliver) has had 32 rides and I have had 24 runners, so we are both seasoned (campaigners in the race).

“It looks a bit stronger than last year. I think the Europeans have a bit more confidence in coming over now and the Japanese are here as well.

“It makes for a very interesting race.”

Ollie & Alenquer will jump from barrier 9 in his final Melbourne Cup 🏆 pic.twitter.com/xBRrdMJ31i

— Racing.com (@Racing) November 4, 2023

Moroney said he was pleased with the way his six-year-old has come through his solid run in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup, where he finished ninth, beaten only 3½ lengths.

He was equally pleased with the gate nine he had been allocated, with TAB bringing him into $34 after the barrier draw.

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“We wanted to draw a single figure (gate), we just made it under so that’s good,” he said.

“He has had a nice preparation for it (the Cup), he is pretty much on target.”

Asked if he was confident his horse would run the 3200m trip, Moroney said: “You never know until you try. If he can get the right run, and that draw will enable him to get a bit of cover, I think he can.”

“We bought him for this race.”

Originally published as Trainer Mike Moroney dares to dream of 2023 Melbourne Cup fairytale for Damien Oliver and Alenquer