Godolphin’s cup of joy
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.
This was his third Cup win. ‘‘I was back a bit further than what I wanted,’’ McEvoy said, adding he had to go around The Cliffsofmoher. ‘‘I had to go my own way and we were full of running. I thought mate, is this happening again? And yeah look, I’m just lucky I can ride light on these lovely stayers prepared unbelievably well by Godolphin and Charlie Appleby.’’
Appleby said it was every trainer’s dream to win the Melbourne Cup.
"This is all down to Sheikh Mohammad. He’s the one that’s given us the encouragement to take the chances in what we do.
"We have campaigned over here the last three years now and have been competitive but we have always learnt each trip what horse we felt was going to be needed on the big day."
Walker was thrilled with the run of A Prince of Arran, saying the horse was ‘‘all heart’’.
‘‘At least I have a top ride for next year. I believe if he had not run on Saturday he would have won today.’’
Our Charles Road, trained by Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott at Matamata, fought bravely for seventh place, earning his owners A$150,000 which was paid out down to 12th.
The other Kiwi-trained runner, Zacada, from the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman stable, just missed out on the prizemoney, finishing 13th. Who Shot Thebarman, which is Kiwiowned, was 17th in his fourth run in the race.
Lexus Melbourne Cup, $7660000, 3200m:
A Kiwi punter has won almost $100,000 after splurging out on the Melbourne Cup winner Cross Counter, but has been eclipsed by an Australian who has won A$500,000.
The Kiwi punter outlaid $8700 on the New Zealand TAB at odds of $11 to win $95,700.
The Aussie punter was a bit more confident – or richer – and laid down $50,000 with a TAB agency there to claim half a million dollars. The New Zealand Racing Board said it had a record 1.7 million bets on the Cup, with 2529 of them on Cross Counter.
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