Media Puzzle has won the Melbourne Cup in an emotional triumph for Dermot Weld and jockey Damien Oliver. Weld was already the only European trainer ever to win the famous race, with Vintage Crop in 1993, while jockey Oliver rode the race in memory of brother Jason, who tragically died last week following a riding accident.
The firm 5-1 favourite finished two lengths clear of Mr Prudent in second with Godolphin's Beekeeper a further long neck away in third in the race at Flemington. Media Puzzle's stablemate Vinnie Roe finished 4th in the two-mile showpiece at a price of 11-2, capping a spectacular success for Dermot Weld.
Weld was proud of his runners: "It's a wonderful day. I'm delighted for everybody concerned – my staff, who've done such a wonderful job with this horse. This is very special. These are special moments in life."
"I was so thrilled turning for home to see my two horses fighting out the Melbourne Cup. They've come 12,000 miles to do this. Vinnie Roe has run a wonderful race for a four-year-old. He hasn't let us down for a big run on a track that was too firm for him. He'll be back but today was Media Puzzle's day. After he ran fourth in the English St Leger I said in the enclosure to Mike Dillon of Ladbrokes `I'll win the Melbourne Cup with this horse'. In fact he fractured his pelvis quite badly and stood in a box for four and a half months and we've brought him back for today," said the Irish trainer.
Winning jockey Oliver's brother's funeral takes place in Perth tomorrow. His jockey father, Ray, was also killed on the track 30 years ago. Oliver said: "It's hard to hold back the emotions. We had a good run throughout the race. He probably got to the front a bit sooner than I wanted to but he was just going so good, I just wanted to keep him out of trouble."
"It's been difficult. It's been a tough time for all the family, not only me. The perspectives can be lost sometimes. I'd give this back right now to have him back with us."
Filed by Greg McKevitt
