The Damien Oliver attracts capacity field
The inaugural running of The Damien Oliver (1400m) has attracted a capacity field of 16 runners for the $500,000 race at Flemington.
Registered as the Chatham Stakes, Saturday’s Group 2 race has been renamed to honour retiring superstar jockey Damien Oliver.
Oliver won the race in 2011 aboard the John Sadler-trained Sister Madley and will be looking to add another win when he partners Godolphin’s Vilana (+600) this weekend.
Having finished fifth behind I Am Me in the Group 3 Sydney Stakes (1200m) on October 14, Vilana comes to Flemington second-up and will carry 59kg as the topweight.
Godolphin holds a strong hand in The Damien Oliver, with last-start Listed Paris Lane Stakes (1400m) winner Tamerlane hunting his maiden Group success.
Horse racing betting sites have installed the six-year-old gelding as a +280 favourite.
Tamerlane brings genuine Group 1 form lines to Flemington, having chased home subsequent Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) winner, Rediener, first-up from a spell on September 16 in the Group 3 Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m).
The only other runner with a single-figure quote is Here To Shock at +850.
The Ben, Will & JD Hayes-trained runner took Antino to a long neck in the Group 3 Sandown Stakes (1500m) two runs back, before being outclassed in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) last time out.
Dropping back in grade, Here To Shock will be partnered by Daniel Stackhouse from barrier four.
The Damien Oliver is the final race at Flemington on Saturday afternoon, closing a stacked VRC Derby Day card.
The Damien Oliver 2023 Field
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