Michael Rodd has been dumped from Cox Plate hopeful, Happy Trails, for champion jockey Damien Oliver, reports Racing Network.

Happy Trails ran second in last year’s Cox Plate behind Shamus Award, and this morning (Tuesday), trainer Paul Beshara explained the owners of the horse had wanted the change.

Rodd rode the horse in last Saturday’s Group 1 Turnbull Stakes and was luckless in the straight, being held-up all the way down the straight.

“They (the owners) have made a call.

"It was up to them, they like Damien,” Beshara said.

“I told them if the split had come in the straight last week he (Rodd) would have been a hero – it’s a fine line.

"He’s gone from a rooster to a feather-duster now,” he added.

Oliver has been booked to partner the horse in Saturday’s Group 1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m) after Beshara admitted the horse needed another run.

“After Saturday he didn’t have a gallop.

"He pulled up so well I know he needs another run before the Cox Plate and that has always been his aim,” he told Racing Network.

“He’s close and this will top him right off,” he added.

Oliver will also ride the horse in the Cox Plate.