The 2012 Melbourne Cup threw in a number of surprising finishes – take a look at who finished unexpectedly well, and unexpectedly badly as we review the big winners and losers.
Review the full results, including odds and every runner’s placing here
Winner: Green Moon
Green Moon ran out of his skin to win the Cup today – he was given a perfect run by jockey Brett Prebble and surprised even the owners by storming home over the top.
He had a bad race in the Cox Plate – jostled out of position and didn’t run on at all. This put his Melbourne Cup in danger, but he quickly brightened up to take his place and he raced into history.
Loser: Dunaden
Poor Dunaden failed to run on from the back. He travelled well, sitting around third last but made no ground on the leaders in the Flemington straight. This looked to be how the track played all day, so a win from that far back, under 59kgs, would have surprised especially because the leaders didn’t go very fast in the early part of the race.
Winner: Gai Waterhouse and Fiorente
The last-minute Gai Waterhouse purchase defied the experts, and the lack of rain, to run on strongly in second. He was given a good chance if the rain came, but on a firm track many stayed away. He proved his form – in braining Red Cadeaux (who finished the 2012 Melbourne Cup in eighth) in Newmarket back in August.
Gai’s other horse, Glencadem Gold, finished sixth, picking up a handy $125,000 for her troubles.
Winner: International Raiders
Eight of the first 14 horses home in the Melbourne Cup traveled from overseas. This was described as the strongest Cup ever and good results from the Europeans is only going to encourage more raiders in the years to come.
Loser: Australian breeding
The winner Green Moon was purchased from overseas and is another example of why Australian owners should look abroad for future Melbourne Cup horses. Bar ninth-placed Precedence, the gallopers bred in Australia and New Zealand finished in the back-half of the field – with Ethiopia last – although it appears he has broken down.
Winner: Bookmakers
Punters did their dash on the Cup, with the winner not given a chance by most experts, and the horses in second and third also judged as outsiders. The bookies would have taken Australian punters for for a fortune.
If you were one of those who managed to back the winner, or grab a quinella, trifecta, or even the first four – which paid close to $1m, you’ll be celebrating for a week.
Winners: Mug Punters/Losers: Students of the form
Mug punters did well in this cup – it wasn’t an edition for the form studiers, but for those who choose lucky numbers, colours and names. Back to the drawing board for the form experts – although Mount Athos ran well in fifth for those who’d followed him as an international
trev
Guest
WHAT A RUBBISH RACE RAN IN A TIME EQUIVALENT TOO A GRADE 5 HANDICAP IN ENGLAND.TALK ABOUT OVERHYPING
chris
Guest
Yes that is correct,but horses from the other side of the World are not dominating our races are they? as i clearly stated it was a poke in the eye for Aussie & New Zealend bred horses im astonished you have decided to pick out Irish horses winning English G1s! Ireland is in the same Continent as England you know. Perhaps i was harsh but i don't think so,Aussie racing is a whole load of overated horses running in races that have over the top levels of prize-money.
Conor
Guest
What part of England is Coolmore Stud in Chris? Irish bred horses have been dominating English Group 1's for years?
chris
Guest
what a shocking result for Australian racing as a whole! i'd be completely embarrassed if any English race at ie Royal Ascot had anywhere near 8 horses filling the 1st 14 places.This is a huge poke in the eye for breeding in Australia & New Zealand but mainly this shows without a shadow of a doubt how poor Aussie racing is in general....sure you guys have the best sprinters but after that you have absolutely nothing to offer the game,i'd be saddened if English racing had the amount of prize-money you guys have only for foreign bred horses to take it every-year.Aussie racing needs to smarten up & the money needs to be capped b4 foreign horses start targetting all your races or sell horses at way over the odds.All money no sense me thinks!
Jamie Blundell
Guest
What an Epic Cup! I had been doing prior form analysis of Cup contenders about 2 weeks out from the cup so I could get the Futures odds. Half and hour or even less after work. I was impressed with Jakkalberry. Even after his run in the Caulfield, where he was badly checked and looked like he was looking for more ground. But it was his prior form in the last 8 months or so that was fantastic. Forget the weak field in the American St. ledger where he went away from them by 6 lengths, or the Hardwicke where he struggled (ground or right handed track?). It was his prior 3rds in the DUBAI SHEEMA (1st Cirrus des Aigle, 2nd St. Nicholas Abbey) and the NAD AL SHEEBA (1st Foxhunt, 2nd Opinion poll) that got me excited. To be a closing 3.8 lengths (in both races), in exceptonal company, showed he was top class and 2 miles would suit him perfectly, and the Flemington track would be right up his alley aswell. I was blowen away with his odds come cup day, thought I had missed something?!. The Form was there, in black and white, and to be 81/1, 16/1 a place bemused me. Meh....Loaded up on him anyway!!. Am I a mug punter? Thank you Australian Media for your enhancement of horses such as American, Dunaden etc, because of their prior Australin form, Thats where all the nanas and grandads, once a year punters put there $ because of the hype. I just made a MINT!, Good onya Jakkalberry!!!!
colin gillard
Guest
Congratulations Green Moon and connections. Sorry to see faves Dunaden and Americain finish middle of the pack but maybe this was caused by condition of the track. When will a Australian bred and trained horse win the cup? Not for a long time methinks.
Virginia Iovine
Guest
What an amazing race! Well done, I don't think I have ever seen such a humble Man!! I thought you spoke so lovely on TV about your trainers and owners. I have never one on the race its quite funny! But the only time I bet is on the Melbourne Cup! I just love it! Australia is lucky to hold such an event! May you win many more! Virginia Iovine, Cucina Direct, New Zealand:)