Melbourne Cup next for Damian Lane
Cox Plate-winning jockey Damian Lane can complete the grand slam if he wins the Melbourne Cup.
History awaits star Australian jockey Damian Lane when he returns to riding on Melbourne Cup day after a suspension.
With wins in the Golden Slipper, Caulfield Cup and Saturday’s Cox Plate already in his keeping during 2019, Lane can create history at Flemington on November 5 when he rides Japanese Caulfield Cup winner Mer De Glace in the $8 million Melbourne Cup.
No jockey has won Melbourne’s three major spring races – Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate, Melbourne Cup – in the same year.
Lane would also complete an unprecedented calendar year “grand slam” of the Golden Slipper in Sydney plus Melbourne’s three spring majors.
Only seven jockeys have managed to win those four races during their careers.
If 25-year-old Lane wins the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday week he would be the youngest to achieve the feat.
Lane was suspended for for careless riding on Caulfield Cup day and started his ban after winning Saturday’s Cox Plate at The Valley on Lys Gracieux.
He will miss Saturday’s feature Derby Day meeting at Flemington.
The jockey spent two months riding in Japan earlier this year and was successful on both Lys Gracieux and Mer De Glace, an association that led to his success on the pair in Melbourne.
“They’re beasts. It’s just great to be associated with them,” Lane said.
“I’ll be back Melbourne Cup Day so let’s hope we can do some more damage there.
“It’s been a massive year.
“The opportunities have just been amazing. And I’m just so happy that I can capitalise on them.”
Mer De Glace was the $10 third favourite for the Melbourne Cup (3200m) on Sunday with Constantinople the $7 favourite.
JOCKEYS TO HAVE WON AUSTRALIA’S GRAND SLAM:
Neville Sellwood: Melbourne Cup (2), Cox Plate (3), Caulfeld Cup (3), Golden Slipper (1)
Roy Higgins: Melbourne Cup (2), Cox Plate (2), Caulfield Cup (1), Golden Slipper (2)
Pat Hyland: Melbourne Cup (1), Cox Plate (1), Caulfield Cup (1), Golden Slipper (1)
Mick Dittman: Melbourne Cup (1), Cox Plate (2), Caulfield Cup (1), Golden Slipper (3)
Jim Cassidy: Melbourne Cup (2), Cox Plate (1), Caulfield Cup (2), Golden Slipper (1)
Damien Oliver: Melbourne Cup (3), Cox Plate (2), Caulfield Cup (4), Golden Slipper (1)
Chris Munce: Melbourne Cup (1), Cox Plate (1), Caulfield Cup (1), Golden Slipper (2)