The Melbourne Cup was won impressively by the German-trained Protectionist who stormed clear of the gallant Red Cadeaux in a dramatic renewal of the great race.
Protectionist had been elevated to favourite following his eye-catching run to finish fourth in the Herbert Power Stakes but eventually started at 7-1. The race did not go entirely to plan for the Andreas Wohler-trained four-year-old as he lost his position early on. Ryan Moore refused to panic and bided his time before bursting through runners in the home straight and win by four lengths.
Ed Dunlop’s Red Cadeaux finished second for the third time in the race, an incredible achievement for the eight-year-old. While Dunlop admitted that time was not on the horse’s side, he did not rule out the prospect of returning yet again in 2015.
The places went to Who Shot Thebarman and Signoff with Godolphin’s Willing Foe finishing an honourable fifth. There was a sad postscript to the race with the favourite Admire Rakti and Araldo both incurring fatal injuries. The Japanese-trained winner of the Caulfield Cup collapsed after the race while Araldo kicked a fence after apparently being distracted by a flag-waving spectator.
The race also produced several disappointing runs, notably from the well-backed Fawkner and Lucia Valentina, both beaten horses as soon as they turned for home. It completed a fantastic double for Moore who won the Cox Plate on Adelaide for Aidan O’Brien.
The winner is part-owned by Australian Bloodstock who will probably send the horse to Kris Lees to train for the major Sydney races during March and April. The Irish duo of Mutual Regard and Royal Diamond also faded badly while My Ambivalent never gave herself a chance of seeing out the trip by racing freely early on. The low draw scuppered the chances of Seismos who immediately dropped back to last before running on to finish ninth.
The result was generally a good one for bookmakers despite the early support for Protectionist. There was plenty of support for Admire Rakti, Fawkner, Mutual Regard and Lucia Valentina. Sportsbet will be refunding bets on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th horses following their special offer.
Full result; 1st Protectionist 7-1, 2nd Cadeaux Genereux 20-1, 3rd Who Shot Thebarman 20-1, 4th Signoff 7-1.
