None of the experts saw it coming. I don’t think Australia saw it coming, but I think we can say we are glad we didn’t.
Prince Of Penzance caused one of the great upsets in Melbourne Cup history when Michelle Payne steered the Darren Weir-trained galloper to a famous victory.
To sum it up, the nation was stopped and the glass ceiling was broken. Here is my 2015 Melbourne Cup review:
1st Prince Of Penzance
You might think “oh this was just a lucky win”. But no. Missed the start but in the end it was probably a blessing. Settled beautifully near the inside throughout before getting clear on the turn and the button was pushed to perfection by Michelle Payne, though she will cop a suspension I suspect.
2nd Max Dynamite
Sat in front of Prince Of Penzance all the way until about 900m out when Michelle could see the gaps opening up and got one off while Frankie Dettori on Max Dynamite got held up badly before getting clear late and charging for second. Got out in time though, so he had his chance, but the run was excellent.
3rd Criterion
I think had he got out at the same time as the winner, IMO, he wins the race. Got held up at the top of the straight when bolting, and he is the sort of horse that can’t pick up straight away – he needs winding up. Great ride by Michael Walker, but he was the unlucky runner.
4th Trip To Paris
Sat three pairs back on the outside before Tommy Berry peeled him out before the turn. Loomed to win but didn’t have the turn of foot, that killer punch required to win a Melbourne Cup, but he was great in running fourth and was strong through the line.
5th Big Orange
Well done to Jamie Spencer for a peach of a front running steer on this horse. Left alone in front and just crawled them in front. Had every right to kick on and he did for a gallant fifth.
6th Gust Of Wind
Hooked back by Chad Schofield from the wide gate and played for luck. At the time of writing this review I am not sure what the stewards have done but I am sure Chad would have copped a decent suspension for the interference. Got out and was excellent late but perhaps a shade unlucky.
7th Excess Knowledge
Backed up superbly from the Lexus. Helped by the fact he sat outside a very slow tempo, and for a few strides in the straight he looked as though he was going to repeat the deeds of Shocking back in 2009, but he just lacked the killer punch at the end. An outstanding Group 1 debut.
8th The Offer
He was excellent given the tempo. Got a long way back in the run and was forced wide on the part of the track where it was inferior ground, but he whacked away very strongly at the end.
9th Quest For More
Had the soft run behind the tempo. Got held up in the straight, but got clear and plugged away well late. In terms of the beaten riders, this was probably the best ride. Barrier 21 and in the box seat, Damien Lane gave him every possible chance.
10th Our Ivanhowe
Followed the fence behind Quest For More. Didn’t really get much room in the straight, but he was strong through the line late. Sydney Autumn will be his for the taking I think, especially if there is rain about.
11th Who Shot Thebarman
Given every chance by Blake Shinn, and presented at the right time with about 300m to go, but paddled soon afterwards and then got badly checked. Should have finished a touch closer.
12th Sertorius
Gun ride by Craig Newitt. Gave his horse the perfect run out the back and did everything he could for his horse. Trainer Jamie Edwards can hold his head high with this horse.
13th Fame Game
Had the perfect trail three wide behind The Offer, then as soon as he peeled out, he got into a bumping duel with The United States. Lost momentum, but worked home late. Just wasn’t suited by the slow tempo.
14th The United States
Moreira did everything he could on this horse, but just simply wasn’t good enough. Slow pace didn’t help either.
15th Hartnell
Not suited by the slow tempo. Play it again Sam!
16th Bondi Beach
Got into a good spot early before peeling wide. Presented at the right time on the turn, but didn’t go on with it from the home straight. Back in trip and you’ll see a very good horse.
17th Hokko Brave
Not good enough after getting a nice run in transit.
18th Almoonqith
Not suited by the slow tempo. Play it again Sam!
19th Kingfisher
Sat out the back in the run before cutting back to the middle of the track where all the carnage happened courtesy of Gust Of Wind, but wasn’t going well enough anyway.
20th Preferment
Identical to Kingfisher. Copped nearly worst of the interference from Gust Of Wind.
21st Grand Marshal
Jim Cassidy was lucky to stay on. Copped the worst of the interference from Gust Of Wind. Wasn’t going to win anyway, but completely forgive him.
22nd Sky Hunter
Three wide no cover. No matter how slow they were going, you can’t sit three wide and win the Cup…apart from Shocking.
Last Snow Sky
Peach ride from Ryan Moore, sitting 1/1 from gate 16. Presented at the top of the straight, but didn’t quite run the two miles out, then nearly fell due to the interference from Prince Of Penzance.
FF- Red Cadeaux
Please, please let him pull through.
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