The 165th champion of the Race That Stops a Nation™ has been crowned, with Jamie Melham etching her name into history aboard Half Yours, the winner of the Group 1 $10 million Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m).

Melham became just the second woman to salute on the first Tuesday in November, a decade on from Michelle Payne’s famous triumph on Prince Of Penzance in 2015. After enjoying a dream run along the rails, Melham weaved through traffic and let rip late, surging clear for a commanding three-length victory as several of the internationals faded out.

Early doors, Arapaho showed intent before Royal Supremacy took up the running. The field bunched tightly through the early stages, with only Changingoftheguard electing to stick wide before eventually crossing over.

Buckaroo, well-fancied off his Group 1 placings, was the last to pass the post the first time around, while Valiant King and favourite Presage Nocturne settled together behind the speed with Smokin’ Romans in fourth.

Mid-race, Joao Moreira rolled the dice aboard Land Legend, surging clear to lead by nearly nine lengths at the 1000m, but the move proved short-lived as the pack reeled him in, with Middle Earth taking over at the top of the straight.

Ciaron Maher’s stayer boxed on bravely for third, while Goodie Two Shoes flashed home for a surprise second. But the day belonged to Half Yours, who drifted to $9.00 before the jump and completed a slice of history — becoming the 13th horse to claim the Spring Cups double after winning the Caulfield Cup three weeks prior in similar fashion.

“This is what we do it for. We get up at 4am and work our asses off. It’s tough, it’s not all glorious and perfect as everyone can see sometimes,”
— Jamie Melham, speaking to Channel 9 after the race.

“I’ve had an amazing year — got married, had some great days on the track — but nothing compares to this feeling.”

Having partnered Half Yours to both Cups, Melham now turns her attention to Thursday’s Crown Oaks, where she’ll look to continue her golden week aboard Ethereum Girl.

Of the internationals, River Of Stars was the best of the rest, closing off nicely for fourth, just 4.75 lengths adrift. Torranzino, last start Geelong Cup winner, looked a danger turning for home but faded to fifth, while Vauban improved sharply to run sixth after settling much better in the yard.

Topweight Al Riffa wasn’t far behind, and there was no joy for Buckaroo, who never fired a shot and brought up the rear.