Ryan Moore confirmed his position as one of the best jockeys in the world by winning the Melbourne Cup at Flemington aboard German raider Protectionist, part-owned by Irish brothers Walter and Robert Power.
Moore came with a turbo-charged late surge inside the final furlong to deny the remarkable Red Cadeaux, finishing second in the Group One handicap for a third time, by four lengths.
Trained by Andreas Wohler, Protectionist was a good winner of the Prix Kergorlay, a renowned Melbourne Cup trial in France, in August before finishing an encouraging fourth on his Australian debut at Caulfield on 11 October.
But the four-year-old son of Monsun took his game to an entirely different level under a majestic Moore.
Despite having shown up promisingly for a long way, the Johnny Murtagh-trained Royal Diamond beat home just two horses.
Stablemate Mutual Regard, impressive winner of the Ebor at York in the summer, fared a little better in 14th place, while the headstrong My Ambivalent was 17th.
Despite having missed the break, peerless jockey Moore was happy to bide his time towards the rear as the keen-travelling My Ambivalent took the field along at a brisk pace.
Home favourite Fawkner was prominent in the early stages and big Japanese hope Admire Rakti, who finished last and had to be put down after he collapsed upon his return from the track.
The landscape of the race changed markedly around the home turn as the Ed Dunlop-trained Red Cadeaux gained a slight lead two furlongs out and fleetingly looked poised for a famous success at the age of eight.
But Moore, who also claimed the Cox Plate aboard the Aidan O'Brien-trained Adelaide towards the end of October, and Protectionist had other ideas.
The splits arrived beautifully as the pace quickened inside the final furlong, which unquestionably played to the strengths of Wohler's inmate, who surged handsomely clear for a decisive triumph.
Who Shot Thebarman and Signoff finished third and fourth respectively, while Godolphin's Willing Foe, trained by Saeed bin Suroor, ran a blinder in fifth spot.
"He's won very easily, like a very good horse"
Moore said: "He's won very easily, like a very good horse.
"I was struggling for a position early on, but I had so much horse under me.
"I'm very pleased for him (Wohler), his record is very good. I've got to thank Michelle (Moore's wife) at home because I've been away a lot.
"You need to win these races for it to be worthwhile. It's very special."
Wohler praised Moore's role in the Protectionist fairytale.
He said: "Ryan couldn't have the position that he'd liked to have had, but he was so patient.
"When they came round the last bend he just needed to have the right gap and he found it.
"He (Protectionist) quickened so well and Ryan is a superstar.
"He stays and has a nice turn of foot. We just needed a smooth run and the jockey was absolutely great.
"We have had great success all around the world, but this is the biggest of all.
"This is a moment we won't forget."
Protectionist is now set to continue his racing career in Australia under the tutelage of trainer Kris Lees.
