Damien Oliver to miss Almandin Cup ride

Damien Oliver will miss the ride on Melbourne Cup favourite Almandin because of a hefty suspension for improper riding in the Cox Plate.

It is the second spring carnival in a row Oliver has been hit with an improper riding ban after spending a month on the sidelines for his ride on Flyng Artie in a lead-up to his win in the Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes.

He was back in time for the Melbourne Cup in which he rode Exospheric because the eventual winner Almandin carried 52kg, well under Oliver’s weight range.

The winning ride went to Kerrin McEvoy.

Oliver, who rode Happy Clapper in Saturday’s Cox Plate, was outed for causing interference in the early stages of the race as he shifted in on Royal Symphony ridden by Dean Yendall.

At the time Yendall and Royal Symphony were on the back of Winx and Oliver moved in to try to trail the eventual winner, forcing Yendall to the fence.

Cox Plate runner-up Humidor has joined Almandin as the $7 equal favourite.

Oliver did not comment on whether he would appeal the ban which will keep him out from after Sunday’s meeting until November 16.