Damien Oliver has elected to stick with the horse who provided him with his comeback win in Saturday’s $250,000 Blue Sapphire Stakes at Caulfield.
Oliver rides the Mick Price-trained Lion Of Belfort in the 1200m contest having partnered the colt to two straight victories since his return to the saddle from a 10-month ban for betting.
The jockey also had the option to ride the Tony McEvoy-trained last-start winner Iconic in the race but chose Lion Of Belfort.
The Price-trained colt delivered Oliver a win at his first ride back from his ban at Geelong last month when he scored by four lengths.
Blinkers were applied for his next start at Moonee Valley on September 27 and Lion Of Belfort sprinted to victory by 1-1/4 lengths.
“I thought he would be a really nice horse if he made a progression from Geelong to Moonee Valley,” Price said.
“That wasn’t a bad race at Moonee Valley last start.
“He had to get out of traffic, it’s a tough 1200 metres at Moonee Valley and he was strong to the line and through the line.
“I think it was the win of a horse who is going to go on and he’s probably going to be our best chance on Saturday.”
A field of nine was declared for the Blue Sapphire including Blue Diamond winner Miracles Of Life, the Peter Snowden-trained Safeguard, Sydney colt Va Pensiero and the Shaun Dwyer-trained filly Villa Verde.
McEvoy has booked Nash Rawiller to replace Oliver on Iconic who posted a fast-finishing first-up win over Villa Verde at Caulfield on September 21.
“He was super impressive and showed a real liking for Caulfield,” McEvoy said of Iconic’s last start.
“He’ll love the extra 200 metres of the Blue Sapphire.”