The Borneo Post

O’Brien edges dad as Rekindling wins Melbourne Cup

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MELBOURNE: Rekindling won the 157th running of the Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse on Tuesday, giving Irish trainer Joseph O’Brien a maiden triumph Down Under and victory over his father’s horse in a thrilling sprint to the line.

The four-year-old colt, a 14-1 shot, roared home in the final straight of the 3,200 metre handicap, reeling in master trainer Aidan O’Brien’s Johannes Vermeer to clinch “the race that stops a nation” by half a length.

The William Mullins- trained Max Dynamite came third, completing an Irish trifecta, as pre-race favourite Marmelo faded to ninth in the A$ 6.2 million ( US$ 4.76 million) race after a bright start on a cloudy, chilly day at Flemington.

“I just can’t quite believe it,” said Joseph O’Brien in front of terraces packed with a festive Public Holiday crowd.

“His prep went really well and ( jockey) Corey ( Brown) gave him an unbelievab­le ride. It’s not often in a big race that everything goes so well. Over the moon.”

Bal lydoyle trainer Aidan O’Brien has made a number of bids to win the world’s richest two-mile handicap over the past decade. He prepared Mahler for a third place finish in 2007 but victory continues to be elusive.

“I’ve spoke to (my dad) and he’s delighted,” Joseph O’Brien said.

Rekindling’s win gave jockey Brown his second Melbourne Cup win after he rode the Mark Kavanagh- trained Shocking to victory in 2009.

The Australian said it was a nice reward after having to fight for rides during a lean patch between his Cup wins.

“I can’t believe it,” the 41-yearold said, celebratin­g with his wife and three daughters. “It’s a dream to just ride in the race, but to win it again, I’m just lost for words.

It’s not often in a big race that everything goes so well. Over the moon. Joseph O’Brien, Itish trainer

The Gai Waterhouse- trained Cismontane made the early running but it was the two O’Brientrain­ed horses that muscled their way to the front as they turned into the straight.

Johannes Vermeer, ridden by Ben Melham, moved first and bolted clear as the terraces roared but was unable to hold off a furious fi nish from Rekindling.

Rekindling continued Ireland’s fi ne Melbourne Cup record since the Dermot Weld-trained Vintage Crop raced away with the 1993 trophy and became the first winner prepared outside Australia and New Zealand.

It was a powerful Irish assault on Tuesday’s race, with six in the field of 23 groomed by the country’s trainers. Mul lins - prepared Thomas Hobson finished sixth, steered by 18-year- old apprentice jockey Ben Allen, who was a late replacemen­t for Joao Moreira after the Brazilian suffered a fall in an earlier race at Flemington.

Local businessma­n Lloyd Williams extended his record to six Melbourne Cups as an owner, having celebrated his fi fth with winner Almandin in last year’s race. Almandin, second-favourite despite carring a significan­tly heavier weight this year, was 12th. — Reuters

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 ??  ?? Rekindling, ridden by Corey Brown, wins the 157th Melbourne Cup ahead of second-placed Johannes Vermeer at Flemington racecourse in Melbourne, Australia. — Reuters photo
Rekindling, ridden by Corey Brown, wins the 157th Melbourne Cup ahead of second-placed Johannes Vermeer at Flemington racecourse in Melbourne, Australia. — Reuters photo
 ??  ?? Lloyd Williams lead owner (second left) with (from left) trainer Joseph O’Brien, jockey Corey Brown and Emirates’ Barry Brown. — AFP photo
Lloyd Williams lead owner (second left) with (from left) trainer Joseph O’Brien, jockey Corey Brown and Emirates’ Barry Brown. — AFP photo

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