Gerry Ryan, owner of Melbourne Cup favourite Americain, says he has not asked any questions of Damien Oliver regarding the betting scandal surrounding the jockey.
Ryan called Oliver up to ride Americain in Tuesday’s Cup after sacking Frenchman Gerald Mosse following the horse’s fourth in the Caulfield Cup.
He says Oliver spoke to him and fellow owner Kevin Bamford and said he was focused on claiming the Cup aboard the 2010 winner.
“Damien did call us and explain to both Kevin and I that this was going to come up,” Ryan told Channel 7.
“He also said that he is focused and won’t let us down.”
An investigation was launched last month when the allegations surfaced and Fairfax Media reported on Tuesday Oliver had made admissions to the panel investigating whether a $10,000 bet was placed on his behalf on Miss Octopussy two years ago.
Oliver won Saturday’s Victoria Derby on the Anthony Cummings-trained Fiveandahalfstar, reassuring Ryan he was mentally capable of riding the right race on Americain.
“If you have a look at his track record last Saturday, I said to him just keep those Group Ones coming,” Ryan said.
“I’ll leave it to the stewards. But all I know is that hopefully he can bring home Americain today.”
