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'Cringeworthy': Viewers fume about 'shameful' Melbourne Cup moment

A news reporter has been shamed over a controversial interview involving the children of Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Danny O'Brien.

The Australian trainer sent local racing fans into a spin after helping to mastermind local hope Vow And Declare's epic Melbourne Cup triumph.

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O'Brien was soaking in the momentous occasion with his family after the race, with the media keen to hear the trainer's thoughts.

But it was a moment involving Channel 10 reporter Michael Felgate and O'Brien's children that stole the spotlight - for the wrong reasons.

"You've got your beautiful children here," Felgate began by saying, before gently pushing O'Brien's daughter aside so he could speak with his son.

Trainer Danny O'Brien's daughter was ushered aside in an awkward live interview.
The interview with Danny O'Brien's kids was described as 'cringeworthy' by viewers. Pic: Channel 10

The snub of O'Brien's daughter looked a little weird on the broadcast and it was made worse by the fact that the reporter didn't seek her response as well.

He merely ushered her to one side, before crossing back to the studio after O’Brien’s son finished speaking.

The incident didn't go unnoticed on social media, with viewers slamming it as "shameful" and "cringeworthy" live television.

Vow And Declare's win was extra special for jockey Craig Williams, whose family were on hand as he ended a long-awaited drought to clinch a career 'grand slam' in Australian racing.

Jockey’s family hail momentous victory

Williams famously missed the winning Melbourne Cup ride on Dunaden in 2011 because of suspension, having already ridden the winners of the Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate that spring.

His narrow win on Vow And Declare in Tuesday's race gave Williams the Cup he craved to go along with two Caulfield Cups, two Cox Plates and a Golden Slipper.

"That's awesome. I'm speechless," Williams' brother Jason Williams said.

"It's a dream come true for him. He's worked so hard from the time he's been an apprentice.

"To see what he went though a number of years ago with Dunaden and to come back from that, it's just been a marvellous effort.

Seen here are Melbourne Cup winning jockey Craig Williams and trainer Danny O'Brien.
Jockey Craig Williams and trainer Danny O'Brien celebrate their Melbourne Cup win. Pic: Getty

"He's got a lot of good people around him."

Williams' father Allan, a former jockey and now trainer in partnership with Jason, also said it was a proud moment but there was another emotion too.

"I was relieved for him. That he finally did it," he said.

"It was only a short margin. So it could have gone either way. I actually thought he had won when he crossed the line. I thought his head was down, but it was close.

"I didn't barrack that much during the race, there were enough around me doing that. But I was just hoping he would get there and he did. I'm very pleased for him."

With AAP