Twilight Payment all the way
Half a length in it at the finishing post
Twilight Payment has won the Melbourne Cup in a thrilling finish. The Irish raider led from start to finish in one of the most astounding Melbourne Cup rides seen in recent years.
Jockey Jye Mcneil’s huge gamble to make his way forward and set the pace early paid off dramatically as he led home Tiger Moth and Prince of Arran.
The eight-year-old gelding gave trainer Joseph O’brien his second Melbourne Cup win and owner Lloyd Williams a staggering seventh Melbourne Cup — and his third Melbourne Cup win in five years.
The win was also Mcneil’s first ever Cup win — in his first ever
Melbourne Cup ride.
Twilight Payment had to do it the hard way to claim the record winning prize (including $250,000 Melbourne Cup trophy) in the $8.4 million richest handicap race on the planet.
The international raider led by more than six lengths as they began to make the turn from the back straight.
Only Finche was able to go with Twilight Payment as they made the turn — and nobody could go with the marvellous horse down the famous Flemington straight.
An emotional Mcneil couldn’t hide his rich feelings when interviewed straight after the race.
“There’s too many emotions, it’s a very big moment,” he told Channel 10.
“Jess and the boy, Oakley, will be watching from home today, and unfortunately they couldn’t be here, but I’m sure them, along with a lot of people, will be very proud.
“To be able to get the opportunity from the Williams family to partner Twilight Payment today — not only them, but also Joseph O’brien, who’s done a fantastic job preparing him — yeah, it’s very overwhelming.”
■ One of the Melbourne Cup’s early favourites Anthony Van Dyck tragically pulled up lame on the Flemington straight and was unable to finish the race.
The five-year-old stallion was loaded into an ambulance and taken away from Flemington.
■ Despite the lack of crowds in the stands, due to the pandemic, the Cup is still a highlight on the horse racing calendar.
Fans still made the most of the day, ABC Melbourne reporter Elias Clure said.
“It’s a beautiful day outside, almost 30C, and the bars are packed; bars can utilise their outdoor areas — you can have amaximum of 10 people a room inside, but there’s no real restrictions on how many people you can have outside.
“I was just walking down a street in a southern part of the CBD and the outside part of the bars were absolutely heaving, with people already getting stuck into the alcohol.”
Melbourne has just emerged from one of the world’s longest lockdowns, of 110 days, and there’s a feeling people are celebrating the new freedom, Clure said.