Ollie wins Archer on Kalapour

Champion jockey Damien Oliver took only two races to add a winner to his already imposing tally at the Melbourne Cup Carnival when Kalapour led throughout to win the Archer Stakes at Flemington on Saturday.

In the process, the Kris Lees-trained Kalapour secured a start in the Melbourne Cup via ballot exemption, having gone into the race 28th in the order of entry.

Racing Victoria head of handicapping, David Hegan, announced after the race that Kalapour will not be penalised for his win, meaning his weight remains at 50kg should Lees back him up on Tuesday.

The Newcastle-based trainer will now have two starters in the Melbourne Cup as he also has recent Moonee Valley Gold Cup winner Cleveland in the race.

Lees said he would spend the three hours after the Archer working out who will ride Kalapour on Tuesday.

“It wasn’t a tough run. We’ll see how he pulls up, but I’d expect him to back up,” Lees said.

Lees said Kalapour will be a realistic top-10 chance in the Melbourne Cup.

“He drops to 50 kilos, I think he is, he’s a horse in form, which is what you want to see, I think he’ll acquit himself well,” he said.

Lees said he and Oliver had had a great association over a long period of time and he was glad to supply him with a win with his career ending soon.

Already the holder of the record for most wins by a jockey at the Flemington Carnival, Oliver registered victory 86 in the Archer and said it was great for his confidence to get a winner with his second ride.

Kalapour took the lead early in the race from barrier one and dictated the speed throughout. Challenged by Athabascan with 250 metres to go, he held him at bay.

“This horse has been running really consistently all season and it is great that he can win a nice race today,” Oliver said.

“He jumped well. I wasn’t really planning to lead but the more I got closer to the gates, I thought it was an option. I didn’t want to hand the lead up to United Nations.

“I’m not sure what the plan is with him, but he’s had a pretty easy run today if they wanted to go there (Melbourne Cup), the horse is in great condition, he’s a really healthy animal and he’s just a gentleman of a horse.”