BRIT OF ALRIGHT
Cross Counter leads historic British 1-2-3
CROSS COUNTER made history as the first British-trained winner of the Melbourne Cup as he capped a stellar year for Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby.
The Kerrin McEvoy-partnered winner (8-1) led home compatriots Marmelo and A Prince Of Arran at Flemington as the Brits swept the board for the first time in the 157-year history of the ‘race that stops a nation’.
Hampered by the fatal injury suffered by Aidan O’Brien’s The Cliffsofmoher after three and a half furlongs of the two-mile event, Cross Counter again found his path blocked in the straight.
But he powered home to collar Marmelo 50 yards from the line to score by a length.
Appleby (above), who gave Sheikh Mohammed a first Derby in Godolphin’s silks when Masar triumphed at Epsom in June, beamed: “This year has been so incredible. I don’t want it to end.
“It’s a special day. I thought turning in that if he finds the gap then this horse has got the gears to pick up.” McEvoy, 38, landing the race for the third time, added: “I thought, mate, is this happening again? The Melbourne Cup has been very kind to me.” Marmelo’s trainer Hughie Morrison praised his “brick of a horse”, while Charlie Fellowes was “over the moon” with A Prince Of Arran’s third place. ■ GOD’S OWN edged out 2-1 favourite Ozzie The Oscar by half a length to repeat his success of 2014 in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter.