Damien Oliver is in a lot of doubt to line up in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup with his horse, Alenqeur, under an injury cloud.
Alenqeur, a six-year-old gelding, is about a $70 chance with most bookies but a stone bruise to the horse’s hoof is set to result in heartbreak for Oliver and connections.
Oliver’s manager Mark Van Triet cast doubt on the 51-year-old’s chances of a final Melbourne Cup ride.
“At the moment it doesn‘t look great,” he told News Corp.
“He would need a lot of luck (for the horse to line up in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup), given this has happened so close to the race.”
But it’s understood trainer Mike Moroney and connections remain hopeful of Alenqeur taking his place in Tuesday’s race.
Oliver announced his retirement earlier this year, with the 2023 Spring Carnival to be his last.
A Western Australian, he’ll finish his career at Perth’s summer carnival.
Oliver has won three Melbourne Cups, the most recent coming in 2013 aboard Media Puzzle. His 125 Group 1 wins is an Australian record for a jockey.
See the final field and barrier draw for the Melbourne Cup here.