Damien Oliver has picked up the Melbourne Cup mount on last weekend’s Caulfield Cup winner Durston.

The three-time Melbourne Cup winner was on Wednesday confirmed as the replacement for Michael Dee, who partnered the Chris Waller-trained import to victory in the Caulfield Cup.

Dee was unavailable to partner Durston in the $8 million staying feature due to a pre-existing commitment to Lunar Flare, the mare he partnered to victory in The Bart Cummings earlier this month.

“We are pleased to confirm that Durston has come through his Caulfield Cup win in good order and Damien Oliver will ride him in the 2022 Lexus Melbourne Cup,” Waller said via a social media statement.

Durston emerged as a Melbourne Cup opportunity for Oliver after he was penalised 2kg for his Caulfield Cup win, taking his Melbourne Cup weight to 53.5kg.

Only four-time winners Bobby Lewis and Harry White have ridden more winners of the 3200-metre Group 1 than Oliver, who first tasted Melbourne Cup success about Doriemus in 1995.

He famously scored an emotional win aboard Media Puzzle seven years later and registered a third success when he partnered Fiorente to victory for Gai Waterhouse in 2013.