From villain to hero for Damien Oliver after Gai Waterhouse aids comeback IT took the best efforts of an Australian Racing Hall of Fame trainer and an Australian Racing Hall of Fame jockey to keep the $6.2 million Melbourne Cup on home soil. Fiorente's rider, Damien Oliver, was full of praise for Cup-winning trainer Gai Waterhouse, calling her a trailblazer and a big influence in his successful comeback from a 10-month suspension.