In the “race that stops a nation,” the $5.6 million Melbourne Cup (G1) stunned much of the racing world after huge longshot Knight’s Choice came through with a late burst of speed and held on for victory in a photo finish.
Unexpected Champion: Knight’s Choice Wins the 164th Melbourne Cup
The 164th running of Australia’s most famous race on Tuesday (Monday night in the U.S.), was a doozy as Knight’s Choice weaved his way past more than a dozen rivals in the final few hundred meters. Fellow longshot Warp Speed came up a nose short on the final stride.
In American betting pools, Knight’s Choice returned an astonishing $221.70 on a $2 win bet. Warp Speed was 33-1. A $1 exacta of 11-4 returned $2,644.20. European and Australian oddsmakers posted winning odds ranging from 80-1 to 90-1 for Knight’s Choice.
Irish Jockey Robbie Dolan Secures Melbourne Cup Win with Perfect Ride
The surprising finish to the two-mile race developed in the stretch with a slew of horses, 23 strong in the field, vying for a winning position. But Irish jockey Robbie Dolan found the perfect openings and won in his first Melbourne Cup.
“Pinch me, I’m dreaming,” the 28-year-old Dolan said. “It is incredible. I can’t believe it. I don’t even know what to say.
“I watched every Melbourne Cup for the last 40 years. I thought my best chance was to get him to stay the trip and hopefully he can run home and do the quick sectionals he can on a good track, and he proved everybody wrong.”
The victory was an international affair: Knight’s Choice is an Australian bred; Dolan is from Ireland, and trainer Sheila Laxon is from New Zealand. She co-trains the horse with husband John Symons.
Warp Speed, the tough-luck runner-up, and third-place finisher Okita Soushi are from Japan. Okita Soushi, with Jamie Kah aboard, took third in a photo with Zardozi.
Betting Favorites Disappoint as Knight’s Choice Claims Melbourne Cup Glory
The favorites did not fare well on a clear spring-like afternoon at Flemington Racecourse. Buckaroo, the top betting choice, finished ninth. Irish trainer Willie Mullins’ duo of Absurde and Vauban finished fifth and 11th, respectively, while British pair Onesmoothoperator and Sea King, 12th and 14th, respectively.
Dolan, perhaps best known Down Under as a former contestant on “The Australian Voice,” was likely singing all night.
“Tell you what I’ll be singing tonight after a few beers,” he joked.
It was the second Melbourne Cup win for Laxton, who won with Ethereal in 2001.
“It was awesome. An amazing run by Robbie,” she told (Australia’s) Nine. “He knew how to ride him. We didn’t give him instructions, he knew what to do.”
Laxton’s Sunshine Coast operation purchased the 5-year-old gelding for $85,000. Knight’s Choice came into the Melbourne Cup with a 10-race losing streak, most recently fifth of 15 in the Bendigo Cup (G3) on Oct. 30 at Bendigo Racecourse (north of Melbourne). The big win was his sixth in 23 career starts.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
