Damien Oliver will take the reins on Cox Plate-bound Dan Excel when he begins his campaign in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1,400m) at Caulfield on September 28.
Trainer John Moore had expected Sydney-based Tommy Berry, who won on Dan Excel in Singapore in May, would be available for the mount as the race is on a Sunday when there is no racing in Sydney, but the switch has been forced on him as Berry has another commitment in the Group One race.
"Tommy was my first choice but he is also first choice for Gai Waterhouse, so I'm number two down in Australia," Moore said. "Tommy will ride Sweet Idea for Gai, but we have an able replacement in Melbourne's premier jockey Damien Olivier. Tommy still has the right of first refusal to ride Dan Excel second-up in the Toorak and in the Cox Plate."
It won't be Oliver's first time aboard Dan Excel though - he rode the gelding into seventh in the Classic Cup in February, 2012, at the horse's second Hong Kong race start.