Rekindling Wins
Melbourne: Rekindling has won the Melbourne Cup, delivering the race’s most successful owner a sixth Cup trophy.
Joseph O’Brien, son of the world’s best trainer Aidan O’Brien, was over the moon with the amazing achievement, a feat his father could not achieve when last here. Johannes Vermeer was gallant in defeat with Max Dynamite filling the minor placing ahead of Big Duke in fourth place. One lucky punter won a $1 million when Rekindling crossed the line after selecting the O’Brien runner to race for a seven-figure amount in a TAB promotion. O’Brien said jockey Corey Brown gave Rekindling the perfect ride throughout. “His prep went really good, Corey gave him an unbelievable ride and I’m just so delighted for all the team and the lads at home,” O’Brien said.
The young trainer also paid tribute to his team.
“The lads that have been with him out here have done a tremendous job. I can’t quite believe it. This is unbelievable, it hasn’t sunk in to be honest,” he said. Rekindling was the youngest horse in the race, aged four.
Winning jockey Corey Brown, who also won in 2009 with Shocking, said: “I can’t believe it. Oh honestly, I chased the ride about six weeks ago and with a light weight (thinking I was) a big
“I have been back here from overseas about nine months and slowly and surely getting back to where I was. Mate, again I can’t believe it,” the veteran jockey said. Successful owner Lloyd Williams said he was thrilling to be able to snare another Cup with his latest win the second leg of back-toback successes after Almadin won last year.
“An absolute dream. I am so thrilled ... It is terribly exciting. I can’t put it into words to be perfectly honest. Just to do it with this 23-year-old (trainer Joseph O’Brien),” Lloyd said.
“He has been taking the world on. I thought that this horse had some chance and I thought that his run in the Ledger was good and his three-year-old form over there has been very good in the Doncaster Cup.”
O’Brien, s couldn’t believe the result, a feat his father could not achieve when here last.
“I can’t believe it. I am thankful to Lloyd and Nick, they suggested to bring him down and he would have a good chance in the race,” O’Brien said.
“His preparation went really good. Corey gave him an unbelievable ride. For everyone and the lads at home and the lads here have done an unbelievable job.
“All the lads at home, all year round, have done a great job with him. I can’t quite believe it. This is unbelievable. It hasn’t sunk in yet.”
WHERE THEY FINISHED
1. REKINDLING ($16.30, $5.90), 2. Johannes Vermeer ($4.50), 3. Max Dynamite ($5.60), 4. Big Duke, 5. Nakeeta, 6. Thomas Hobson
7. Tiberian, 8. Libran, 9. Marmelo
10. Wicklow Brave, 11. Red Cardinal, 12. Almandin, 13. Cismontane, 14. Amelie’s Star
15. Boom Time, 16. Wall Of Fire
17. Single Gaze, 18. US Army Ranger
19. Humidor, 20. Hartnell, 21. Ventura Storm
22. Bondi Beach, 23 & last: Gallante. Scratched: Who Shot Thebarman