Luck of the Irish as Rekindling wins Melbourne Cup
Joseph O'Brien has beaten his famous father to Melbourne Cup glory, training Rekindling to win Australia's greatest race.
In a father-and-son finish the younger O'Brien's Rekindling overhauled Johannes Vermeer, trained by Aidan O'Brien in the closing stages.
Max Dynamite completed an Irish trifecta in taking the minor placing, with Big Duke rounding out the final four.
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Ridden by Sydney jockey Corey Brown, Rekindling saluted as a $15 chance to give owner Lloyd Williams a sixth win in the race, and Brown's second after his victory on Shocking in 2009.
"I chased the ride about six weeks ago and with a light weight I was a big chance to get on him," Brown said.
"It is so special, I have my family with me and the girls are old enough to come to the races and enjoy it. I am lost for words."
Rekindling came from midfield and just when Johannes Vermeer ($13), also jointly owned by Williams, was being hailed the winner, he had no answer to the four-year-old's challenge.
Max Dynamite ($20), runner-up in 2015, ran bravely for trainer Willie Mullins to finish in the placings again.
The Irish trio were part of an 11-horse overseas contingent taking their place in the Melbourne Cup field.
English visitor Marmelo firmed to $7.50 favouritism shortly before the race, but could only manage ninth place.
RACE 7: THE FULL ORDER
REKINDLING
Johannes Vermeer
Max Dynamite
Big Duke
Nakeeta
Thomas Hobson
Tiberian
Libran
Marmelo
Wicklow Brave
Red Cardinal
Almandin
Cismontane
Amelie’s Star
Boom Time
Wall Of Fire
Single Gaze
US Army Ranger
Humidor
Hartnell
Ventura Storm
Bondi Beach
Gallante
Rekindling handed Lloyd Williams his sixth Melbourne Cup crown and second in a row:
2017: Rekindling (Joseph O'Brien, Corey Brown)
2016: Almandin (Robert Hickmott. Kerrin McEvoy)
2012: Green Moon (Robert Hickmott. Brett Prebble)
2007: Efficient (Graeme Rogerson. Michael Rodd)
1985: What A Nuisance (John Meagher. Pat Hyland)
1981: Just A Dash (trainer TJ Smith. Jockey Peter Cook)
RACE 10: THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB STAKES
Deja Blue was a late scratching after jumping out the back of the gate just before the start of the race.
Pedrena held off a strong challenge from Cool Passion in the final hundred metres to take the race win, with Swampland coming in third.
The Mick Price-trained mare took out the final race of the day, giving jockey Michael Dee bragging rights in the $200,000 Group 3 race.
RACE 9: OCEAN EMBERS FIRES
Ocean Embers has won the 1200m MSS Security Sprint in the penultimate race of Melbourne Cup Day.
Nikita Beriman rode the five-year-old mare to victory ahead of Faatinah, who was ridden by Hugh Bowman in a second consecutive second-place finish for the jockey.
RACE 8: KIWI HORSE GETS A WIN
Chris Symons has ridden Odeon to victory in the 1800m James Boag's Premium Stakes.
The Matthew Ellerton-trained four-year-old edged out Chris Waller's Hugh Bowman-ridden Life Less Ordinary and Danny O'Brien's Second Bullet to win.
RACE 6: GAI'S DAY GETS EVEN BETTER
The Gai Waterhouse-trained Our Crown Mistress narrowly snared victory Lexus Hybrid Plate.
It was the second first-placed finish for Waterhouse, after Setsuna won the opening race of the day.
RACE 5: PREZADO WINS FLEMINGTON FLING
Chris Symons piloted Prezado to victory in the Flemington Fling, ahead of Bandipur and William Thomas.
Symons said the jockey room was distraught after seeing Moreira's fall in Race 4.
RACE 4: JOAO MOREIRA MISSES MELBOURNE CUP RIDE
Champion Hong Kong jockey Joao Moreira limped back to the jockeys' room after a fall in Race 4 at Flemington and was ruled out of the ride on Thomas Hobson in the Melbourne Cup.
Moreira hit the ground when the Chris Waller-trained Regal Monarch came down near the 300m of the Ronald McDonald Plate (280m).
Regal Monarch was taken to a nearby veterinary centre for assessment.
Fanatic went on to win ahead of Sherlock Holmes and Swacadelic.
RACE 3: KAH SNARES VICTORY ON DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR
Dollar for Dollar won the Lavazza Short Black, overcoming Milwaukee with 50m to race.
It was the first win at Flemington for jockey Jamie Kah’s during the Spring Carnival.
RACE 2: TAHANEE IN TOP FORM
Craig Williams led Tahanee to an upset win over favourite Invincibella in the TAB.com.au Trophy.
RACE 1: GAI'S GLORIOUS START
Gai Waterhouse enjoyed the perfect start to Melbourne Cup Day, with Setsuna winning by a full length in the Group 3 Emirates 100th A380 Stakes.
with AAP
