Oliver chases a hat-trick

DAMIEN Oliver, fresh from securing the important Melbourne Cup booking on imported stayer Purple Moon, will carry the hopes of punters with a strong book at Cranbourne today.

Oliver has picked up five rides at the Victorian provincial track and has a realistic chance of booting home at least a winning treble.

His mounts include $3 pre-post favourite Moment Of Truth in the Villa and Hut Class Four Handicap (1600m).

Oliver will link with leading trainer Lee Freedman as three-year-old Moment Of Truth takes on older horses.

The colt drops back to restricted grade after tackling his own age at Listed level in the Super Impose Stakes (1800m) at Flemington on October 6.

Moment Of Truth was caught in the wrong part of the track that day before weakening out of the race to finish midfield behind Victoria Derby-bound winner Villain.

Oliver takes over from Freedman's suspended stable jockey Corey Brown this afternoon.

Brown had ridden Moment Of Truth to wins at Mornington and Ballarat last month.

Oliver will also ride Dan Baroness for Freedman in the Villa and Hut Pink Ribbon Ladies Day SV 2YO Maiden Plate (1000m).

While absent from the Group One winners' list so far this spring, Freedman has dominated the early two-year-old scene in Melbourne and Dan Baroness will be strongly fancied to maintain the stable's momentum.

Oliver has also been booked to ride expensive yearling purchase Dehere O'Dedog in the National Australia Bank SV 3YO Maiden Plate (1400m).

The David Hayes-trained colt, out of Group One-winning Zabeel mare Hill Of Grace, was unplaced on debut over 1200 metres at Morphettville on October 6 but gave every indication he would be better suited over more ground.

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