Winners, grinners and raw emotion

The race that stops two nations, delivers both fascinators and fascination, writes

Racing

Many New Zealanders will have a favourite memory from Australia’s Melbourne Cup, the horse race which claims to “stop a nation” every first Tuesday in November.

It might involve a long lunch, a workplace sweepstake or a random stab to pick a winner from the annual Herald lift-out which pertains to know everything about how the famous 3200m will unfold.

A lucky few get to go. Nostalgia for a certain vintage of the population will centre on Kiwi’s surge from second-to-last to win the 1983 edition with homegrown jockey Jim Cassidy in the saddle. The feat has assumed mythical proportions in New Zealand folklore. Cassidy stunned the equine fraternity and the average punter as he threaded the chestnut gelding through the field.

Few horse races capture such magical moments better.

Take New Zealand chestnut mare Empire Rose holding off Natski to win in 1988; Jezabeel pipping Champagne in 1998; or commentator Greg Miles’ 2005 call of “a champion become a legend” when Makybe Diva became the first horse to win the Cup three years straight.

In addition, few sporting interviews hold as much allure than when a microphone is thrust in front of the winning jockey.

The outpouring of emotion is as compelling as the race.

Last year was Kerrin McEvoy’s turn after he recorded his second win, 16 years apart, on Almandin.

“Gee, he travelled well. How lucky am I, mate? The elation is unreal.”

McEvoy dedicated a segment of his chat to his pregnant wife.

“Cathy’s at home, I love you guys. Hope you didn’t cheer too loudly and the baby popped out,” he beamed as his mount ambled towards the winners’ circle.

McEvoy’s sister-in-law Michelle Payne created a stir in 2015 when she spoke about becoming the first woman to ride a winner in the race’s 156th edition. Prince of Penzance, at 100-1, had the longest winning odds since World War II.

Payne’s candour astounded after her dismount.

“To think that [trainer] Darren [Weir] has given me a go in such a chauvinistic sport, I know some of the owners were keen to keep me off and [co-owner] John Richards and Darren stuck really solid with me.

“Everyone else can get stuffed because they think women aren’t strong enough, but we just beat the world.”

Another cracking chat came with Chris Munce on Jezabeel.

He all but leapt out of the saddle when interviewer Johnny Letts rode alongside.

“I’ve got great friends in Brisbane who couldn’t be here, this is for you