Owner Lloyd Williams won his fifth Melbourne Cup – a record – when his well backed Almandin wore down Irish raider Heartbreak City in a war of attrition down the Flemington straight to take the 156th Melbourne Cup for jockey Kerrin McEvoy and trainer Robert Hickmott.
Almandin storms home to beat the obscured Heartbreak City
It was McEvoy’s second Cup win 16 years after his triumph on the New Zealander Brew in 2000.
The race was broadcast live on Tellytrack in South Africa,
The first two drew well clear of third placed Hartnell, the leading Godolphin runner ridden by Kiwi expatriate James McDonald, with another Godolphin candidate in Qewy running on well to take fourth place ahead of the Chris Waller-trained Who Shot Thebarman
The winner was formerly trained in Germany, where he beat the 2014 victor Protectionist when he was a younger horse
“It’s a dream come true, ” said McEvoy. “I like these staying races, and I love the Melbourne Cup.’
Heartbreak City, ridden by Joao Moreira, the “magic man” from Brazil almost pulled off a daring coup for Irish trainer Tony Martin, who had won England’s equivalent, the Ebor Handicap, at his last start.
Williams has hardly been seen on Melbourne racetracks for the past two decades but he made an exception this time and was on hand to watch his galloper get the prize, sticking his head out in the final 50 metres to gain the prize under McEvoy’s driving.
“He gave it a super ride. It’s been really rehabilitated, this horse, he has done a tendon. It reminds me of What a Nuisance in 1985,” said Williams.
“It’s big for me. I am a Melburnian,” Williams said.
The owner had four in the race, but this was the one he was most confident about: on Melbourne radio the day before he had said he felt Team Williams had beaten the handicapper to get Almandin into the race with his weight of 52 kilograms.
McEvoy was delighted to have snared his second Cup. “I said when I got off, you win one, you want to win another one. I am very lucky to be on this horse. He was there the whole way, travelled great, what a buzz.”
Tony Martin, trainer of the runner up, said: “I gave him all the pushing and shoving I could from the stands . . .it’s a pity we didn’t have something to tow us into the straight a little further but I am delighted. We will lock him up until next year. This is where he is coming, all being well.”
Almandin crossed the line in 3.20.59 in cool conditions but with forecast showers holding off for the race.
www.stuff.co.nz
