In the dark clouds over Flemington, there were two stories that darkened the mood of the punters on what should have been a fun Melbourne Cup Day.
The first dark cloud is a sardonic one as Green Moon overcame the odds and the inside barrier to win the 15second Melbourne Cup.
In what was rated as arguably the strongest Melbourne Cup field of all time, the race itself could lay claim to being the most anti-climatic of all time.
Pre-race favourites Americain and Dunaden floundered with both unable to get into the race.
Dunaden from the start, sat back in the field after nearly falling early on in the race when suffering a check, while Americain raced flat and seemed to lack and spice to get over the top.
Only Mount Athos could claim any type of bragging rights as it finished a respectable fifth while favourable roughies Ethiopia and My Quest for Peace floundered on the big stage.
However, it was a day for the forgotten horses of the Melbourne Cup.
Green Moon prior to the race had seemingly fallen out of favour with the punters.
A favourite just six weeks ago, its odds blew out dramatically after it flopped in the Cox Plate 10 days ago.
But it roared back into the spotlight when jockey Brett Prebble took advantage of the lack of pace in the field and commandingly rode the horse to victory.
The win gave casino and horse mogul Lloyd Williams his fourth Melbourne Cup and stunned the 100,000-plus crowd who had come thinking the Cup was going back to Europe.
Jakkalberry and Fiorente added shock to the crowd as they came home second and third.
On most normal Cup Days this would dominate the talk, but there was another story that hung over the Flemington like a dark cloud.
Damien Oliver came to Flemington to work with the knowledge that his picture had been splashed all over The Age for the wrong reasons.
Fairfax Media reported that Oliver had admitted he placed a $10,000 bet on a horse he rode against in a race in 2010.
The same article also reported that if he was found guilty and suspended, Oliver may retire from riding.
It once again fuelled the rumours and speculation that have been rife in Victorian Racing for the last six weeks.
While nothing has yet to be proven, if Oliver is found guilty of this charge, a lot of the goodwill he has accumulated over the years will be lost.
Oliver is probably the most recognised and most popular jockey currently plying his trade in Australia.
Immortalised by his emotional 2002 Cup win, he has ridden in 23 of the last 24 Melbourne Cups such is the stature and reputation of Oliver and his ability.
If this is his last Cup, he has only himself to blame.
Oliver knows the rules and if he is found to have committed the crime, he should do the maximum amount of time as punishment for his silly act.
It took much of the vibe out of what should have been a grand day of racing.
While I’m looking forward to the final two days of the carnival, I can’t help but feel that this will be one of the most remembered Cup days for both good and bad reasons.
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