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The winner of the 2011 $6 million Melbourne Cup is Dunaden. The pre-race favourite won in a photo-finish. He beat by a whisker Red Cadeaux and third was Lucas Cranach.
Carrying considerably less weight than his Geelong Cup win, Dunaden made a name for himself in Europe at distances winning seven races beyond 2000m. Ridden by Christophe Lemaire, this win means that the French have taken back to back Melbourne Cups.
Early in the race, Dunaden was bunched midfield but broke clear to sit one wide of Fox Hunt midfield. To the line it was Red Cadeaux and Dunaden. A tight photo finish – the closest finish ever in the Melbourne Cup – pronounced Dunaden the winner to the joy of thousands at Flemington.
Lucas Cranach came in third while Americain has run from nowhere to come forth.
Last placed in the Melbourne Cup horse was Modun.
Dunaden paid $8.20 for the win and $3.10 for the place, while England’s Red Cadeaux paid $14 for the place, while the Lucas Cranach in third paid out $4.50.
The quinella combination of 3-12 paid out $222.80, the exacta of 3-12 paid $380.10 and the trifecta of 3-12-9 paid out $4555.20.
After the closest finish in the 151-year history of the race, German horse Lucas Cranach has completed an international sweep of the placings.
Dunaden’s jockey Christophe Lemaire arrived in Australia 24 hours before the Cup after Australian jockey Craig Williams lost an appeal against suspension. The french jockey shed a tear on receiving the news he’d won in a photo finish.
“It’s incredible – it’s a great moment for me,” Lemaire said.
“I was a bit anxious. I knew it was very close. I feel very sorry for Craig. He’s a good friend of mine,” Lemaire said.
Last year’s winner, Americain, started favourite at $5 and finished fourth.
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