Ata glance

Godolphin has finally broken its Melbourne Cup drought with the victory of lightly weighted threeyear-old Cross Counter, trained at Newmarket in England by Charlie Appleby.

The win brings to an end a wait of more than 20 years for Cup success for Godolphin, the global empire run by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, deputy leader of the United Arab Emirates.

Second home was another English-trained galloper in Marmelo, ridden by Winx’s regular rider Hugh Bowman, for trainer Hugh Morrison.

Third place went to yet another English-trained horse in A Prince of Arran, from the Newmarket yard of young handler Charlie Fellowes. He was partnered by expatriate New Zealander Michael Walker, who has called Melbourne home for most of the past decade.

One of the well fancied horses, the Aidan O’Brien-trained Thecliffsofmoher, broke down soon after the start and was later euthanised after fracturing a shoulder.

The winner was only carrying the featherweight of 51kg (the same as fifth-placed Rostropovich) and was partnered by the rider many regard as the best jockey in Australia when it comes to staying races, Kerrin McEvoy.

Lexus Melbourne Cup, $7660000, 3200m: 4-5 Cross Counter (23) K McEvoy 1 5-3 Marmelo (9) H Bowman 2 12-11 A Prince Of Arran (17) M Walker 3 Win: $12.00. Places: $4.40, $4.10, $7.00. Quinella: $74.60. Trifecta: $2277.10