Oliver to ride Steel Prince in Ramsden

Damien Oliver will ride Steel Prince (l) in the Andrew Ramsden as he tries to earn a Melb Cup start.

Champion jockey Damien Oliver will take over on Steel Prince when the in-form stayer bids to win his way into the Melbourne Cup in the Andrew Ramsden Stakes.

Five-year-old Steel Prince made it four wins from as many starts this preparation since joining the Anthony Freedman stable with a hard-fought on-pace victory in Saturday’s Brew Handicap (2600m) at Flemington.

Steel Prince has been ridden by apprentice Michael Poy in three of his four wins this preparation, including his past two starts.

Apprentices cannot claim in the Listed Andrew Ramsden (2800m) at Flemington on May 25 and the Freedman stable has confirmed Oliver will ride Steel Prince.

The winner of the Andrew Ramsden, which is now restricted to three, four and five-year-olds, earns a ballot exemption into this year’s Melbourne Cup.

Oliver notched a Group One double at Morphettville on Saturday, winning the Australasian Oaks on Princess Jenni before taking out the Robert Sangster Stakes on Spright.