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SCMP Reporter

Damien Oliver - peerless amongst Australia's jockeys since his return from Hong Kong - is poised to win today's Caulfield Cup (2,400 metres) for the fourth time in seven years.

 Oliver, who will be aboard the 3-1 favourite Sky Heights, has previously won the event on Mannerism (1992), Paris Lane (1994) and Doriemus (1995).

 A four-year-old by champion Sir Zabeel, Sky Heights has registered two wins and seconds from four outings - all in set-weight events - this campaign.

 The winner of the Australian Derby in the autumn, he was most impressive in winning the Turnbull Stakes (2,000 metres) at Flemington at his last outing on October 2.

 According to trainer Colin Alderson there will be 'no excuses' for Sky Heights, if he is beaten today.

 'His preparation has gone perfectly since he came back into training,' said Alderson.

 'He has a top jockey and an ideal barrier, so he has everything in his favour going into the race.'  Allez Suez - a four-year-old trained by Bart Cummings, who has already won six Caulfield Cup - is now a 5-1 second favourite.

 A winner of the Epsom Handicap (1,600 metres) at Randwick two weeks ago Allez Suez has worked impressively since arriving in Melbourne.

 However, he has drawn barrier six so a great deal will depend on how successfully his jockey Brett Pebble can angle him towards the inside rail in the first 400 metres.

 The English stayer Maridpour, who will be ridden by former Hong Kong-based Lance O'Sullivan, is a 15-1 chance but he must be right in calculations.

 A Group Three winner at Ascot and The Curragh, Maridpour, who has equal topweight of 56.5 kilograms with Sky Heights, has also been working stylishly since his arrival.

 Another point in Maridpour's favour is that he races near the lead.

 After rain during the past few days the Caulfield track is expected to favour horses racing in front or close to the leading brigade.

 Other chances in the Cup appear to be Darren Gauci's mount Arena, the Peter Hayes-trained Nina Haraka, who will be ridden by Greg Childs and New Zealand raider Figurehead.

Oliver will be back aboard Ronald Arculli's Sheer Kingston, when he contests the Group Three Coongy Handicap (2,000 metres) at Caulfield today.

 He rode the gelding to his victories in the Adelaide and Brisbane Cups over 3,200 metres in May and June but Patrick Payne has partnered Sheer Kingston at his two starts, both over short distances, this campaign.

 But Payne, who has ridden in Hong Kong and rode a record number of winners in Macau last season, is now sidelined with a fractured collarbone.

 'It will be good to have Damien back on the horse,' says trainer David Hall, who has taken over Sheer Kingston's preparation from John Meagher.

 'He understands that horse and knows what he is all about. I thought Patrick rode him a bit upside down at his last start and Damien will give him plenty of time to settle down in the Coongy.'  At the same time Hall believes Sheer Kingston will 'need another run or two' before he will be close to his best.

 Hall says that the five-year-old's next assignment will, in all likelihood, be the Group Two Saab Quality (2,500 metres) at Flemington in a fortnight.

 He will then progress to the Group Two Sandown Cup (2,400 metres) on November 13, which will lead him through to the $7 million Hong Kong Vase (2,400 metres) at Sha Tin on December 12.

The Domeland-owned Northern Drake, who easily won the Group One Yalumba Stakes (2,000 metres) last weekend, has been nominated for the Japan Cup (2,400 metres) in Tokyo on November 28.

 However, connections will by-pass the Japan Cup to concentrate on the Hong Kong Cup (2,000 metres) at Sha Tin on December 12.



Oliver poised to scale great Heights in Cup