Retiring great Damien Oliver says $101 Cup ride ‘not without a chance’

After scoring an unexpected ride in the race that stops a nation, legendary jockey Damien Oliver is determined to cap off an incredible career with another Cup triumph.

Damien Oliver calls it his “last dance”.

After scoring an unexpected ride in the race that stops a nation, the legendary jockey is determined to cap off an ­incredible career with a spectacular Melbourne Cup.

The three-time Cup winner, 51, has a chance to equal the record of four wins in the saddle in Australia’s great race after being handed the reins to $101 outsider Alenquer on Saturday night.

Preparing for his final Cup carnival after announcing his retirement in August, Oliver told the Herald Sun it was a dream possibility ­despite what he had ­already achieved.

“It’s good to get one on my last dance, you might call it,” he said.

“It’s much better to be a part of it than watching on the sidelines. You’ve got more chance of winning it if you’re in it ... so it will be great to be a part of it.”

Despite the bookies stacking the odds against him, Oliver dares to dream of another Cup triumph.

Gai Waterhouse and Damian Oliver with Melbourne Cup Favorite Fiorente at Gai's Flemington Stables. Picture: Jay Town

“I read that he was 100-1 and I don’t think he should be quite that price,” he said.

‘Whether he can win it or not I’m not sure, but I’m sure he can finish closer to the front, that is for sure. He is not without a chance.”

The Victoria Racing Club will launch the carnival on Monday with Hall of Fame trainer Gai Waterhouse, trailblazer jockey Michelle Payne and Oliver among the racing royalty helping.

Oliver – who has won the second-most Cups as a jockey (three – aboard Doriemus, Media Puzzle and Fiorente) and more races in Cup week than any (85) – said he would soak up this last carnival.

“The sport has given me and my family so much, and I look forward to soaking up the Melbourne Cup Carnival for one final time before ­returning home to Perth to have my final rides,” he said.

Champion jockey Damien Oliver has won three Melbourne Cups, on Doriemus in 1995, on Media Puzzle in 2002 and on Fiorente in 2014. Picture: Michael Klein

Oliver compared Melbourne Cup success to being a proud parent but said the 2002 race he won aboard Media Puzzle, days after his brother Jason died from injuries suffered in a race fall, held special significance.

“Obviously, winning the Lexus Melbourne Cup is quite life changing and to win it three times is very special to me,” he said.

“They are all favourites, it’s a bit like your kids, it’s hard to separate them. They have all provided great memories for different reasons.

“The last one a decade ago on Fiorente was obviously memorable, riding Gai’s first Cup winner.

“But the win on Media Puzzle will always be exceptionally special to me, it was a very emotional time.

“And of course, Doriemus, he was an amazing horse who gave me both the Melbourne Cup and the Caulfield Cup in one year.’’

Oliver says his win on Media Puzzle will always be exceptionally special to him.

The VRC will celebrate ­Oliver’s career throughout Cup Week, including a presentation and guard of honour with jockeys on Stakes Day following his final race ride at Flemington.

And the $500,000 Group 2 Linlithgow Stakes will be registered as the Damien Oliver on Victoria Derby Day.

Waterhouse said Oliver, who helped win her sole Cup thus far aboard Fiorente in 2013, had “given people great thrills”.

“He’s been at the top of his sport for three decades, it’s hard to do that,” she said.

“He’s an evergreen jockey, one of those truly remarkable elite athletes that you only come across every so often.”

Payne, who will reunite with her 2015 Cup winner Prince Of Penzance as part of Monday’s launch, said Oliver would leave a lasting legacy.

“He’s been a champion for so many years and it’s been remarkable that he’s been able to maintain that,” Payne said.

“The way he’s handled himself and what he has done for the sport is really inspirational and he’s still riding at the top of his game.”

VRC chief executive Steve Rosich said crowds flocking to Flemington would make an important economic contribution to Victoria.

“There has been extremely strong demand for general admission tickets to Lexus Melbourne Cup Day and across all days of the carnival,” he said

The Cup carnival will begin with the Victoria Derby on November 4, followed by the Cup on November 7, Oaks Day on November 9 and Stakes Day on November 11.