Four time Scobie Breasley medallist Damien Oliver has been sought out to partner the classy son of Royal Academy when he contests Sunday's Group One Dubai Racing Club Cup over 1400 metres.

Bel Esprit started one of the shortest priced favourites in Manikato Stakes history on Saturday, but was grabbed late in the race by the Guy Walter trained Spinning Hill.

Many, including the colt's trainer John Symons, felt that the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup winning jockey went too early.

"He didn't have to," a stunned Symons said moments after the race, "Why do it?"

"He left himself wide open when there was no need to," he added.

It was a testing weekend for last year's Spring star jockey. On Sunday he narrowly missed a baking from connections of Lightuma.

Had he been grabbed on the post questions would have been again thrown in his direction from connections.

"Luckily he got there," Gary Fennessy told owners. "He went miles too early."

PICS - Quentin Lang.

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