Melbourne Cup 2014: Protectionist - how the race was won

Roar Guru

4th November, 2014

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Protectionist crosses the finish line to win the 2014 Melbourne Cup. Who is primed to take out this year's edition? (AAP Image/Tracey Nearmy)

Sam James

Roar Guru

4th November, 2014

As the barriers opened in the 2014 Melbourne Cup, winning jockey Ryan Moore, on board winner Protectionist, had one thing on his mind – patience.

The horse was in peak condition after a cracking run in the Herbert Power Stakes at Caulfield and from barrier 10 and after a small buffet at the start, Moore crossed and had found a beautiful position on the fence after just 400 metres.

As the pace cranked up down the back straight, Moore conserved his energy and looked to save ground by staying on the fence. At the 1400m, he found the back of Mutual Regard another of the fancied runners and popped off the fence.

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But as the leaders folded, the backmarkers looked to make their moves out wide, including Damian Oliver on Mutual Regard.

Moore found himself on the back of Willing Foe, who was cruising at the 600m. As they turned for home, Protectionist snuck inside the Godolphin runner and asked him for a supreme effort at the 400m.

Until that time, Moore had conserved as much energy as possible. Standing in his way were Red Cadeaux and Signoff and just as he was hitting top gear, they parted and away went Protectionist.

So explosive was his sprint, he won officially by four lengths and clocked the quickest time in the Melbourne Cup since Media Puzzle in 2002. It was an amazing run, and the second fastest run in over 20 years.

By being patient, Moore conserved plenty of energy for the final 600m and ensured the horse would show his best in the straight. The ride won the race; it is as simple as that.

Ryan Moore’s patience today was juxtaposed by his ride in the Cox Plate, when he asked Adelaide to sprint at the 1000m in a long, sustained run. He is a world-class jockey producing a world-class ride to win a world-class race.

Full Melbourne Cup finishing order:

FINISH	HORSE	JOCKEY	WEIGHT	MARGIN	START
1	Protectionist	Ryan Moore	56.5	0	8
2	Red Cadeaux	G Mosse	57	4	21
3	Who Shot Thebarman	G Boss	55	4.5	21
4	Signoff	J Moreira	51	6	8
5	Willing Foe	J B Mc Donald	55	7	31
6	Precedence	M Rodd	54.5	8	81
7	Araldo	D Dunn	53	9.3	21
8	Au Revoir	G Schofield	53.5	10.8	71
9	Seismos	C Newitt	56	12.6	91
10	Fawkner	Nicholas Hall	57	13	8.5
11	Opinion	T Angland	53.5	15.3	71
12	Gatewood	W Buick	55	15.4	61
13	Lucia Valentina	K Mc Evoy	53	15.7	7
14	Mutual Regard	D Oliver	55	17.5	9
15	Brambles	L Nolen	54	20.8	81
16	Unchain My Heart	D Yendall	51.5	23.6	101
17	My Ambivalent	A Atzeni	54.5	24.9	31
18	Junoob	J Bowman	55.5	28.9	21
19	Lidari	B Melham	53.5	31.9	71
20	Royal Diamond	S W Arnold	55.5	47.9	101
21	Mr O’Ceirin	C Schofield	54	48.3	201
22	Admire Rakti	Z Purton	58.5	73.3	5.5
Scratched	Cavalryman	N/A	57	N/A	N/A
Scratched	Sea Moon	N/A	56.5	N/A	N/A

[roargal]

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