Champion jockey Damien Oliver has been sidelined through suspension and he will look to strike early when he partners Godolphin filly Va Via at Moonee Valley.
Va Via runs in the opening race on Saturday’s card, the Ladbrokes Plate (1200m).
Oliver has not ridden since Grand National Hurdle Day at Sandown on August 7 after being suspended on a careless riding charge at Geelong four days earlier.
Godolphin and their main Australian trainer James Cummings have been one of the main suppliers of rides for Oliver in recent seasons.
Oliver partnered Va Via when she resumed at The Valley on July 30 when a closing third behind Winnertakesitall over 955m and was aboard the filly when successful at Sandown over 1000m in March.
Cummings said Va Via had taken improvement from her outing at The Valley and that she should be suited under the set-weights and penalties conditions of Saturday’s race.
“She got to the line nicely first-up, and that was only over 955 metres,” Cummings said.
“It’s a quick jump up to six furlongs, but she’s well in at the set-weights and penalties.
“She’s got a bit of experience on her side, and I think she’ll run a nice race.”
Va Via has only raced at 1200m once previously, finishing fourth behind Ruthless Dame in the Group 3 Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes at Flemington on March 12.
Last year the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Zouzarella took out the corresponding race from the Cummings-trained and Oliver-ridden Zapateo.
Va Via filly sits on the second line of betting at $4 for Saturday’s race with TAB behind debut Moe winner Little Miss Kubi who is rated a $3.30 chance.
