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"We’ve done a little bit of work with her and she seems in pretty good condition. It’s going to be a hot race but she’s certainly one of the good chances."
She looked sharp in a Flemington jumpout last Friday, without being asked to do much, and Oliver said the straight holds no fears.
"I’ve had three sits on her, a couple at trackwork and a jumpout down the straight the other day pleased me; she handled the straight well," he said.
"She’s one of many chances. [There are] some good colts there so hard to say."
Oliver boasts a strong book of rides at Flemington on Saturday, including Cantala Stakes contender Night’s Watch for OTI Racing who races third-up following a second-place finish in the Toorak.
Night's Watch heads to the Cantala at Flemington on Saturday.Credit:AAP
"It’s a nice race for him," he said.
"He ran well in the Toorak and I rode him in the Makybe Diva and he ran well in that as well.
"Handicap on a big track suits him so hopefully he can get a nice draw and be in with a good chance.
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"He’s a horse that settles in the second half generally, I don’t think you can change that too much, but a big track like Flemington certainly suits him better than Caulfield."
In the Derby, Oliver jumps on board the Anthony Freedman-trained gelding Warning, a winner of the listed Super Impose Stakes two starts back, while Tuesday week he’ll ride Ebor Handicap winner Mustajeer for Australian Bloodstock in his attempt at a fourth Melbourne Cup.
Oliver said a critical gear change should see him improve on his sixth-placed finish in the Caulfield Cup.
"I think he’s got a [winning] chance," he said.
"I think he’ll be better suited at Flemington and the distance will be more suitable.
"We’re going to take the earmuffs off him, which I think will get a better response from him. I’ll work him on Tuesday and see how we go.
"He probably needs a little bit better acceleration and my experience with earmuffs on, horses can feel a little bit doughy underneath you so sometimes that can spark them up a bit."
Damien Ractliffe is the Chief Racing Reporter for The Age.









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