The nation’s eyes are fixed on Victoria’s Flemington Racecourse today for 2014 Melbourne Cup Day! A total of ten races will jump at the world-renowned course throughout the day, highlighted by the featured Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at 3:00pm.
Protectionist has become the first German to win the Melbourne Cup. Photo: Sarah Ebbett
Race 7 – Melbourne Cup 2014 Results
- Protectionist
- Red Cadeaux
- Who Shot Thebarman
Classy stayer Protectionist has created history at Flemington Racecourse this afternoon; displaying an incredible turn of foot in the final straight to comfortably become the first German to win the Melbourne Cup 2014 from veteran Red Cadeaux and Who Shot Thebarman.
Jumping from the gates well, leading jockey Ryan Moore settled the Monsun entire in prime position within the pack, allowing early leaders My Ambivalent and pre-post favourite Admire Rakti to set a noticeably quick tempo past the post the first time and rounding onto the back straight.
Receiving an ideal run in transit in the middle of the field, Moore steadily led the four-year-old towards the fore of the pack and exploded from the pack; hitting the lead with 300m to run and crossing the line more than four lengths in the clear ahead of a brave Red Cadeaux; Auckland Cup champion Who Shot Thebarman running on for third.
Jockey Ryan Moore delivered a perfectly-timed ride on Protectionist in the 2014 Melbourne Cup and was thrilled to add the country’s headline horseracing crown to his Cox Plate title won aboard Adelaide ten days ago.
“He won very easy, a very good horse … he was able to sort of follow Mutual Regard through … once he got in it was just finding the space and I had so much horse power under me,” Moore said after winning the Melbourne Cup 2014.
Trainer Andreas Wohler was understandably thrilled to have taken out the 2014 Melbourne Cup and ranked the victory as the best he has claimed so far.
“We’ve had great successes all over … but that’s the biggest of all,” Wohler said.
Make sure to keep up to date with 2014 Melbourne Cup Day’s scratchings, market movers and winners here at HorseRacing.com.au!
Race 1 – Group 3 Emirates Airline Plate (1000m) Results
Antelucan displayed a keen turn of foot to take out the Group 3 Emirates Airline Plate. Photo: Sarah Ebbett
2014 Melbourne Cup Day was kicked off by the Group 3 Emirates Airline Plate (1000m) for two-year-old fillies.
Jumping from the gates well, jockey Damien Oliver led exciting prospect Dagny to the fore of the field, maintaining a strong sprint down the famous Flemington straight before being joined by the Craig Williams-partnered Thurlow.
Pulling clear of their closest rivals with 400m to run, the Emirates Airline Plate appeared to be a two horse race until a late charge from classy filly Antelucan delivered Godolphin Melbourne Cup Day’s first race win.
Race 2 – TAB.com.au Trophy (1700m) Results
The TAB.com.au Trophy (1700m) saw a field of 17 mares line up for Melbourne Cup Day’s Race 2.
Displaying a good early sprint from the gates to immediately travel to the fore of the pack, Zoomania took up the running and set a noticeably quick tempo alongside Amanpour and Are There Any over the back straight and rounding the bend.
Finding the final straight with a clear racing line, jockey Craig Williams moved Precious Gem forward and locked in a fierce sprint battle with Amanpour; poking a short nose clear with 100m to run and sustaining a strong-enough run to take out Race 2 in a photo finish; Dig A Pony running on for third.
Williams delivered a perfectly-timed ride on Precious Gem to win the TAB.com.au Trophy, and was quick to lay the praise on his talented mount.
“I got beaten on her at Moonee Valley and i said if you run in this race i’ll win on her (to the connections) for you … she was a brave girl. I was confident not to hit her with the whip, thought she giving her best … she was so genuine giving me everything,” Williams said after crossing the line.
Race 3 – Visit Victoria Plate (2800m) Results
Grand Marshal wins the Visit Victoria Plate on Melbourne Cup Day. Photo by Sarah Ebbett
Displaying a strong turn of foot down the famous Flemington straight this afternoon, classy stayer Grand Marshal has poked clear in the final 50m to beat a brave Renew to the line in the Visit Victoria Plate.
Jumping from the gates well, the Dansili gelding settled in prime position off the pace of early leaders Order Of The Sun, Fledged and Rebel Rising, who set a noticeably quick tempo rounding onto the back straight.
Settling into a good rhythm in transit, jockey Jim Cassidy led Grand Marshal through the field and arrived at the final straight with a clear racing line; extending well to secure a sixth career win.
Trainer Chris Waller was understandably pleased to secure an early race win on 2014 Melbourne Cup Day and was quick to praise the effort of the veteran hoop, Cassidy.
“A long, sustained effort and full credit to Jim Cassidy; I think he’s had three rides on the horse for three wins now. It’s a big buzz for owners and trainers to have runners on this day, so we’re very proud of the winner,” Waller said.
Races 4 – Lavazza Short Black (1400m) Results
Classy short-distance specialist General Groove has delivered trainers Leon and Troy Corstens a maiden win on Cup day as a training partnership this afternoon, charging home on the rails to take out the Lavazza Short Black.
Jumping from the gates only fairly, jockey Tommy Berry settled the General Nediym gelding off the pace of the race’s early leaders; finding a clear racing line on the rails rounding onto the final straight and sneaking through to the lead; maintaining a strong-enough sprint to hold off a fast-finishing Spy Decoder; Gracious Prospect running on for third.
Berry was unfortunate to lose his ride on early Melbourne Cup favourite The Offer early last week before again being left without a ride when Macedon Lodge runner Sea Moon was scratched. Delivering an exceptional ride on General Groove for victory in the Lavazza Short Black, Berry was quick to praise the efforts of the five-year-old in recovering from the less-than ideal jump.
“He relaxed really well, I followed one of the favourites Spy Decoder and I had a beautiful run up along the fence and we were too strong at the end,” Berry said after crossing the line.
Race 5 – Schweppes Flemington Fling (1000m) Results
Risen From Doubt wins the Schweppes #FlemingtonFling from Rough Justice (outside). Photo by Sarah Ebbett
Steadily building to the task over two prior starts this time in, classy three-year-old Risen From Doubt has completed a strong sprint down the famous Flemington straight to take out the Schweppes Flemington Fling with relative ease.
Jumping from the gates well, jockey Nick Hall settled the Not A Single Doubt colt off the pace of early leaders Toothless, Thief Of Hearts and Empress O’reilly; charging through the middle of the pack over the last 300m to finish half a length in the clear of Rough Justice; Alaska boxing on for third.
Pleased to have secured a race win prior to partnering Fawkner in the Melbourne Cup, Hall said he was quietly confident straight racing would play into the strengths of Risen From Doubt this afternoon.
“Straight racing is such a beauty for these big, striding horses because you’re able to find your rhythm so well and you don’t have to worry about being agile around corners,” Hall said.
Race 6 – Listed Lexus Hybrid Plate (1400m) Results
Classy filly Hijack Hussy has completed a perfectly-timed ride in Race 6 on 2014 Melbourne Cup Day; charging home late to take out the Listed Lexus Hybrid Plate (1400m) by a comfortable length.
Jumping from the gates well, jockey Michael Rodd settled the Hussonet filly on the heels of early leaders Shacarde, London Lolly and Blackjack Bella, who set a noticeably quick tempo away from the gates.
Forced wide rounding the bend, Hijack Hussy slowly spooled up and charged to the fore; poking clear with 100m to run and finding the line ahead of Sea Spray and Coachella. Rodd delivered a strong ride on the three-year-old for victory in the Lexus Hybrid Plate and was thrilled to deliver Queensland-based trainer Tony Gollan a win on Melbourne Cup Day.
“It’s pretty big for Tony to get a winner over Cup Carnival and she’s a really nice filly this one,” Rodd said after crossing the line.
Race 8 – Listed James Boag’s Premium Stakes (1800m) Results
Atacama has poked clear to win the 2014 James Boag’s Premium Stakes. Photo: Sarah Ebbett
Classy New Zealand raider Atacama has stamped her claims as one to watch in her maiden Australian appearance this afternoon, displaying a strong final straight sprint to take out the Listed James Boags Premium Stakes in a photo finish.
Bouncing from the gates well, the Pentire mare settled in prime positon on the heels of early leaders Admire Inazuma, Pheidon and Lightinthenite who set only a noticeably pacey tempo approaching and rounding the bend.
Finding the final straight with plenty to do, Atacama appeared out of contention until producing an exceptional kick with 300m to run; poking a short head clear of Sysmo crossing the line; Pheidon maintaining for third.
Race 9 – Listed MSS Security Sprint (1200m) Results
Godolphin has secured an impressive Stakes victory late on 2014 Melbourne Cup Day with classy sprinter Reparations kicking well late to take out the Listed MSS Security Sprint with ease ahead of Office Bearer and Final Crescendo.
Jumping from the gates only fairly, travelling Irish jockey Wayne Lordan was forced to settle Reparations off the early pace of Not Listenin’tome, Sea Lord and Iconic who all jumped well and immediately raced to the lead.
Steadily building in speed, the Exceed And Excel gelding shot to the lead, finishing a length in the clear of his closest rivals despite drifting across the running surface.
Lordan was thrilled to have picked up the ride on the $41 outsider in the 2014 MSS Security Sprint and was pleased to repay trainer Anthony Freedman for the faith shown in him.
“I appreciate the opportunity to get the ride out here and it was great to win,” Lordan said after the race.
“Mr Freedman told me that he’d enjoy the straight track, which he obviously did so it was great.”
Race 10 – Group 3 Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes (1400m) Results
Mahara has taken out the last on 2014 Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington. Photo: Sarah Ebbett
Talented five-year-old mare Mahara has capped 2014 Melbourne Cup Day in impressive fashion; displaying a keen turn of foot down the famous Flemington straight to comfortably take out the Group 3 Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes.
Rolling out of the gates well, Sydney premiership-winning jockey James McDonald settled the Hussonet mare off the pace of a fast-starting Danestroem and Lady Lakshmi who immediately shot to the fore of the pack.
Appearing to have a little too much of a task when reaching the final 200m around three lengths off the pace of Rose Of Choice, Mahara kicked well and charged past the daughter of Choisir, finishing a length in the green.
McDonald was thrilled with the feel offered up by Mahara in the Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes and is excited by her racing prospects pressing forward.
“Obviously you’ve got to have a mare that can do it and she was here today for me when I produced her,” McDonald said.
“She had a lovely run … She’s a great little mare, she tries her guts out and that’s all we can ask.”
