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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Sport
Adam Collins

Melbourne Cup 2017: Rekindling wins ahead of Johannes Vermeer – as it happened

Corey Brown riding Rekindling wins the Melbourne Cup
Corey Brown riding Rekindling wins the Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse. Photograph: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

Thanks for your company

That’s about enough from us with our coverage of the 2017 Melbourne Cup. A memorable win for Rekindling, pulling away with 100m to go to get Lloyd Williams his sixth win in 36 years. A one-two no less, with Johannes Vermeer second to the post.

90,536 punters were there to witness the moment. A day that 24-year-old Irish trainer Joseph O’Brien will never forget either, not least because it was his father he beat into second in the trainer stakes. Nine of the first 11 finishers were from somewhere other than Australia, in what will surely be a talking point across the days to come.

Thanks for being part of it for another year. We’ll be back with plenty of live sport over the coming days, including the Women’s Ashes Test in Sydney starting on Thursday, then the first leg of the Socceroos sudden-death World Cup qualifier this Saturday. But until then, bye for now!

This is not far away either...

Let’s look at one more race. Off in the 1800m stakes, appropriately named after a beer. Favourite is Lubiton, who has pace to burn, the commentators say. But it is Odeon, who was an emergency in the race, claiming the comfortable three length win after taking the lead with 100m to go. Channel Seven’s man Chris Symonds has his second winner of Cup Day, and they’re very happy about it. And now he’s interviewing himself in the post-race chat. Nice colour.

And here we have the trackside report. By Kate O’Halloran.

Let’s sart to wind this down. First, the photo gallery. The fashion-centric one. I’m sure there’ll be a more exotic album later this evening when the lawn get loose.





Updated

Governor-General Peter Cosgrove. “You are the toast of Flemington,” he says to Rekindling’s connections. “You stopped the nation and won the greatest race in the world.” And now he passes the cup to Lloyd Williams on behalf of the owners.

Williams, the winning owner for a sixth time, at the mic. Uses the platform to again give the idea of a national public holiday a shove along. Also backs in the chair of the VRC, Amanda Elliott, to take over racing in Australia as well. He’s a very happy man.

Joseph O’Brien gets his own cup as the winning trainer. “I wasn’t expecting to say a few words here,” he begins. It’s a short and sharp speech from the 24-year-old. What a night he has ahead of him.

Now jockey Corey Brown gets to step up to the mic for the best moment in horse racing for the second time in his career. He says that he thought Williams might have thrown him a curve ball when he pitched himself to O’Brien. But alls well that ends well.

So there we have it. Formalities are finished. That was the 2017 Melbourne Cup.

Trainer Joseph O’Brien and Corey Brown who rode Rekindling to victory.
Trainer Joseph O’Brien and Corey Brown who rode Rekindling to victory. Photograph: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Updated

Presentations. “What an extraordinary result,” says the VRC chair Amanda Elliott, first the mic. “There hasn’t been a three-year old win the Melbourne Cup since 1941 with Skipton. And our greatest Melbourne Cup owner does it today.” Governor-General Peter Cosgrove is on hand to hand out the trophy, and will do so after the sponsors have done their thing.

And Gallente was last, it has been confirmed, for those playing along in the sweeps around the country.

In the blood. Irish trainer Joseph O’Brien is 24 YEARS OLD and has just jagged at Melbourne Cup winner. Let that sink in for a moment. What were you doing when you were 24? Yep. And the apple hasn’t fallen far from the tree there, his old man - champion trainer Aidan - had the second placed Johannes Vehmeer. Never short of a story on Melbourne Cup Tuesday. Here are the dividends.




Updated

Here is Lloyd.



It’s a Williams quinella, in case you were wondering. He’s on the telly now. Corey Brown’s last win was on Shocking in 2009. Here’s the final 800m.

An Irish horse does it. 24 years after Vintage Crop did it for the first time. Corey Brown wins his second Melbourne Cup, Joseph O’Brien the trainer. And of course, it’s Lloyd Williams the boss. Six Melbourne Cup wins in 36 years. Astonishing.

REKINDLING WINS THE MELBOURNE CUP!

AHEAD OF JONANNES VERMEER AND MAX DYNAMITE. WOW.

Corey Brown rides #22 Rekindling to win the Melbourne Cup.
Corey Brown rides #22 Rekindling to win the Melbourne Cup. Photograph: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
(left-right) Justin Murray, Dean Markus and Scott Garner celebrate their win on Rekindling.
(left-right) Justin Murray, Dean Markus and Scott Garner celebrate their win on Rekindling. Photograph: Brendan Esposito/AAP

Updated

Marmelo makes his move at the 800m. Gets out to the lead by the time they run the turn.

1400m to go. Cismontane, Gallante, Boom Time then Marmelo the favourite wonderfully placed. Almandin a long way back, but has ample time.

Passing the finishing post for the first time, the Waterhouse lightweight Cismontane walks them around. Mile and a half to go.

AND THEY'RE OFF!

Three and a half minutes. Here we go.

Nearly on. Champagne corks popping around the nation. In Melbourne, they’ve been on it all day. Horses piling in. I think we’re good to go. Marmelo jumps at $7.60, Almandin wound into $8.20.



Anthems and pomp. Flags flying, all the rest.

Early in the day I shared with you some rules to help scale back the field for who you might want to keep a close eye on. Now for a bit of meat on the bones.

The favourite is Marmelo. And understandably so. With not a lot of racing before the big one, hasn’t been penalised too hard by the handicappers, had a brilliant end to an otherwise underwhelming Caulfield Cup and has gun hoop Hugh Bowman (of Winx fame) on board.

Trainer Hughie Morrison is speaking now on TV and sounding relaxed as can be. “He doesn’t need any instructions,” how the jockey is being guided. Or not, as it were.

Would be the first England horse to take the Cup, 24 years after Ireland’s Vintage Crop became the first foreigner to take it home. In the absence of an out-and-out superstar, feels the right chance to jump as the main fancy.

Speaking of the home/away divide, there have never been more than the 11 internationals in the field today, of 23 that will race. Only three are born and locals.

So much to consider going through the field:

Can Hartnell go two better than last year when a beaten favourite? Carrying a lot of weight. Not the best prep, either. But that Cummings gold dust, who could rule it out?

Almandin is aiming to become the fifth horse to go back to back and the first since Makybe Diva (who liked it so much she did it thrice). The best bet of Williams’ half-dozen all the same, even if Frankie Dettori is on board instead of suspended Damien Oliver - a man who has never had any luck in this race. His 16th attempt today.

Johannes Vermeer has never ran beyond a mile and a half, but has the form from two solid hit outs at Caulfield during the Spring. Has the necessary pace. Humidor is in a similar boat, two miles looks a long to travel. But what a Cox Plate finish, nearly ending Winx’s run. Darren Weir’s best chance of a second Cup.

Wall of Fire has the best jockey in the business Craig Williams onboard. He’s done just about everything other than winning a Cup. Another who could take the prize to England for the first time, and another with ample pace.

Rekindling has attracted attention for the lack of weight it has, but that might double for durabilty as well. Max Dynamite is on the same line of betting, and could easily have been the winner in 2015. Don’t put a line through.

Ventura Storm I’ve drawn in the sweep. But also, did its best work on the big stage of Caulfield. David Hayes most favoured here. Oh, and Greg Boss is on board, who has three of these. All on the Diva.

If padding out the trifeca, Single Gaze is starting long, but would be a helluva story as Canberra’s first starter in a generation. Would also be two women riding the winner in three years if Kathy O’Hara steers the victory.

Boom Time as well, purely because the Caulfield Cup’s reputation as a rubbish race this year seems to have damaged its reputation. Or has it?

And let’s not forget Thomas Hobson, who has Ben Allen on board after Joao Moreira came off the back of a ride earlier in the day and was ruled out. Would make a cracking story.

There you have it. Not quite the call of the card, but enough to go on with as they finish up in the mounting yard. Jumping in ten. Buckle up.

Michelle Payne on the telly. The hero of 2015. “It is amazing that one race could change my life as much as it has.” There’s a motion picture coming based on it, too.

Now we have Ben Allen who has been given the ride on Thomas Robson after a fall in the fourth race. Blimey, he is young. “It just shows the opportunities you can get if you make these light weights and are at the right place at the right time.” Could be a movie in that if he salutes come 3:04pm too.

But it is not just about the jockeys. Matt Hill about to have the moment of his life, the voice of the Cup on the TV commentary for the very first time.

Last of the non-race chat: here is that car.


Oh, before that. Update on the crafty protesters from the wires as well. Wouldn’t be surprised if they find a way to disrupt the race. Wouldn’t be the first time.

Protesters have blocked a passenger train line near Flemington on Melbourne Cup day, calling for Manus Island refugees to be brought to Australia.

A car has been driven across tracks at Ascot Vale with a protester locked inside on Tuesday and Metro Trains has told passengers to expect delays of up to 20 minutes.

“We are here to oppose Melbourne city’s choice to celebrate and promote animal cruelty whilst refugees are suffering on Manus Island due to Australia’s inhumane policy choices” protester Sonia Arquette said.

Proof that Kate is in the stands. Packed stands too, by the looks. And given we’re 50 minutes from the Cup, let’s start turning our focus to the three and a half minutes that matter more than an other on this famous day.

I told you. Every celeb gets a gong on Cup Day. From AAP, via me, to you. You’re welcome.

Eighties pop star Taylor Dayne is excited for a flutter at the Melbourne Cup despite feeling like a “wind blown tunnel.”

The Tell It to My Heart singer, aged 55, braved the elements on the black carpet at Flemington on Tuesday wearing a powder-blue off the shoulder dress by Melbourne designer Elliatt.”

“I can’t wait to sing and start gambling. This is pretty fabulous, the Birdcage is something else,” Dayne told reporters on Tuesday of the celebrity-spotting hub at Flemington.

“This dress is by a beautiful Melbourne designer, so we’re representing Melbourne.”I don’t know if it’s better than the Kentucky Derby yet, let me get my bets on.”

Grammy nominated Dayne had some of the best hits of the 1980s including Love Will Lead You Back.

She is performing at the Sensis Marquee along with UK singer songwriter Jay Sean.

Gutsy win! The beautiful grey, Own Crown Mistress, gets the win. Went hard early on the rail, and saw off a determined challenge from Luqyaa. It’s a win for Gai Waterhouse on the biggest day in the sport. What she would do for another if Cismontane can cause a boil over in about an hour from now. That’s next, the Melbourne Cup.

Our Crown Mistress wins race six, the Lexus Hybrid Plate.
Our Crown Mistress wins race six, the Lexus Hybrid Plate. Photograph: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Updated

The race before The Race. 1400m for 3 year old fillies. Our Crown Mistress the main fancy, winning her last three starts. Racing!

After a lengthy battle with public transport, Kate O’Halloran has made it into the grandstand to cover the race. Hurrah! Here was what she wrote about yesterday’s parade. On a debate that is never far away on Cup Day.

Trainer of Thomas Hobson, Willie Mullins, live on TV. “We came up with two or three names but Ben Allen is going to ride the horse. He had watched a few of the races.” He’s happy that Allen, an up and comer, has won a couple of group one staying races.

Meanwhile, the protesters have done very well here.

Great run! Prezado comes from out wide to salute, the second winner so far today starter price greater than $20. Maybe an omen for later. Chris Symonds is on the winner, which the commentators are happy about given he’s a member of the channel seven broadcast team.

“It really puts a dampener on most people’s day to be honest,” he says of the fall in the previous race. But quickly adds that there were plenty of his colleagues jumping into the sauna once they heard there was a ride going in the Cup! But that has been settled, Ben Allen getting the last minute gong to pilot Thomas Hobson in just under 90 minutes from now.

Race five! Nearly ready to roll, the horses piling into the gates for the 1000m sprint that has been a staple of this meet for as long as I’ve been alive. And a race that always reminds me of the great Schillaci. Property jumps as fav. Away!

Gay Alcorn has caught up with Thorpie. What a legend.




Paris Jackson has entered the Birdcage. Gay Alcorn is corresponding from the track and advises me that Jackson is “supposedly the biggest international star here today.” I must admit, all I know (thanks, wiki) is that the daughter of the late Michael has a lot going on for a teenager, acting and modelling for the most part. Reads like she’s a pretty good citizen, too. Good luck to her.

Paris Jackson arrives to the Myer Marquee at the Birdcage during Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Tuesday, November 7, 2017. (AAP Image/Tracey Nearmy) NO ARCHIVING
Paris Jackson arrives to the Myer Marquee at the Birdcage during Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Tuesday, November 7, 2017. (AAP Image/Tracey Nearmy) NO ARCHIVING Photograph: Tracey Nearmy/AAP

Breaking: Joao Moreira out for the day. And in turn, out for the Melbourne Cup. That’s a big story. So they will need a last minute replacement for Thomas Hobson in the Cup. Speculation on the TV that with just 52kg, they are aren’t going to have many jockeys to choose from as the replacement. No further news Regal Monarch.

The fall. Encouraging news from the TV that the horse Regal Monarch has made it into the float on their own steam. Jockey Joao Moreira up and about as well. Inevitably, there’s a Cup connection: he has a ride on the big one on Thomas Hobson. Probably a lot more to come on this story.

Protesters (of a different kind than usual) at Flemington

Updated

Fantastic race, but there has been a fall...

Five horses were spread across the track at the clocktower, bringing on a grandstand finish. Fanatic came through the middle of the track to get the win, paying north of $20, with Sherlock Holmes and Swacadelic. But the real attention after the race is going to be how Regal Monarch (and ride Joao Moreira) after tumbling with 500m to go. Stand by.

Joao Moreira lays on the ground after Regal Monarch fell in race four.
Joao Moreira lays on the ground after Regal Monarch fell in race four. Photograph: Michael Dodge/Getty Images



Updated

Race four coming up. Ronald McDonald House Charities Cup, over 2800m. Sin to Win is into $4.40 and jumps as davourite. But, wait for it, Ubin Thunderstruck has taken the second most money today on the race. Strayaaaa.

Granddukeoftuscany is popular as well. More popular: not spacing out these names in the conventional way. Stormsabreweing placed in race two earlier, Who Shot Thebarman has been scratched in the Cup later on. Just pop a space in there, it’ll be alright. Okay, they’re in the barriers. And they are... racing.

Just occurred to me. It’s 20 years since just about the best Melbourne Cup finish in my lifetime, Might and Power holding off the equally mighty Doriemus in a photo finish. This should get the blood pumping.

“They hit the line... photo, oh!”

Updated

Celebrities. In keeping with the theme of my politicians post, you know you’ve made it as a celeb in this country in a couple of ways. One, you’re on Dancing with the Stars. Another, you’ve been asked for a Cup tip in the paper. Even former Hawthorn half-forward flanker Ben Dixon had his say in today’s Herald-Sun. It’s how it works.

Now, one of my cricket writing collegues from over at Cricinfo Brydon Coverdale wasn’t a celebrity. He writes bloody beautifully about the summer game, but that is that. We hardly get stopped on the street for writing about someone’s cover drive.

But then a couple of years ago he turned his penchant for dominating trivia nights into a gig as ‘The Shark’ on the game show The Chase. Now, he gets to do this in front of a couple of million TV viewers.

Dollar for Dollar! Tipping he would have been popular in the betting ring. Came correct with 100m to go out wide, overtaking Milwaukee who was on the rail.

Adelaide hoop Jamie Kah rode it home and is pumped. “This is incredible,” she says. “It’s like winning a Melbourne Cup for me. It does not get better than that.”

Race three. A race named after a cup of coffee. Sure. 1400m the journey with New Universe the market fancy with two-time Melbourne Cup winner Kerrin McEvoy on board. They’re away!

Updated

Politicians. Don’t underestimate how seriously our national leaders take picking the Melbourne Cup winner. In 2007, a significant story during the election campaign was Rudd’s collect when picking Efficient. I told in some depth last year on this day how my selection for him in 2009 led me to briefly believe that he was going to sack me.

Once again Malcolm Turnbull has backed in Bondi Beach, for it is in his electorate. And Bill Shorten has followed suit on Boom Time. I want a leader, one day, to go against omen bets and pick the nag it thinks will earn them some cold hard cash. One day.

Federal opposition leader Bill Shorten and his wife Chloe Shorten arrive at Flemington.
Federal opposition leader Bill Shorten and his wife Chloe Shorten arrive at Flemington. Photograph: Tracey Nearmy/AAP

Updated

Mocca’s rules.

Let’s take a quick peek at the Cup for the first time this morning, shall we? It may be over three hours away, but it is a storyline-rich environment.

To begin, I want to share with you some rules laid out by my old mate Mark O’Connor (a Guardian writer on one occasion, come to think of it) who has successfully never picked a winner despite briefly punting for a living.

Even so, I enjoy his formula as we start to narrow our way towards a final selection. It’s nice to have a formula - like Omar in The Wire, or Dexter in Dexter. Anyway, here goes:

Rule one: 4, 5 & 6YOs only: eliminate 1,2,9,11,12,16,17,18,21

Rule two: No internationals first up: eliminate 4,6,14,22

Rule three: Only campaigned in Vic this prep: eliminate 13,24

Rule four: First run in the Cup: eliminate 8

This year, that leaves a fair few qualifiers: 3,5,7,10,15,19,20,23:

HUMIDOR

MARMELO

JOHANNES VERMEER

VENTURA STORM

BOOM TIME

SINGLE GAZE

WALL OF FIRE

AMELIE’S STAR

More on all of those, and quite a few more, over the next couple of hours.

Updated

Quite cool how they turn the vision of the races straight around. I’ll plonk them in as we go.

Tahanee takes race two! Got the inside run and didn’t let it go from the clocktower on. Craig Williams the jockey, the champion on Wall of Fire in the Cup later on so he’ll be happy with that to start his day. Invincibella had ample work to do coming from third last, but romped home to grab second. Stormsabrewing rounded out the places. “Invicibella absolutely flopped out of the barrier,” Bruce McAvaney says on the telly.

Craig Williams rides Tahanee to win race two, the TAB.com.au Trophy.
Craig Williams rides Tahanee to win race two, the TAB.com.au Trophy. Photograph: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Updated

Before we deep dive on what comes later. Let’s deal with race two. They’ll be going 1700m and it is mares only. Have that, fellas. Invincibella the fav with Hugh Bowman on board, the man who has a huge job on the Melbourne Cup short-priced Marmelo later on. And they’re... racing.

It's the race that stops the nation.

We like to play up these days on the sporting calendar, but whether you like it or not, the footptint the Melbourne Cup leaves is undeniable. By any measure, it is big bikkies.

Be it the 100,000 or more punters at the track. The 750 million people forecast to watch the race around the globe, five million of those in our country alone. The $6.2 million prizemoney. The fact that this has been going strong for 157 years. Massive, the lot of it.

So then, welcome to Guardian Austalia’s coverage of the two-mile classic. Of course, ten races are on the card at Flemington today, but it is when they jump at 3pm local time that we’ll be transfixed. Between now and then, we’re all constitutionally bound to show our expertise and pick a winner. We’ll do plenty of that, and ample nonsense too.

Helping along the way is Kate O’Halloran at the track, who I’ll take regular updates from. But of course, this will work best if we chat throughout. In the usual way, catch me in the usual way on email, or fire me your hottest takes (read, best bets) on twitter. Let’s have a bit of fun. I look forward to your company.

Adam will be here shortly. In the meantime, have a read of Michael Hutak’s race preview:

Updated

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