Shocking wins the Melbourne Cup

(GETTY IMAGES)

It was third time lucky for jubilant Australian jockey Corey Brown today, after Shocking streaked away in the final stages to win the 149th Melbourne Cup.

British stayer Crime Scene was second with the South African trained Mourilyan third.

Shocking put in a dour staying run after being trapped wide for much of the race.

Heading for home Shocking and Crime Scene pulled away from the pack and had the race between them before the four-year-old got the better of the Godolphin galloper.

Brown was aboard the Mark Kavanagh-trained Shocking, making up for narrow defeat on Bauer 12 months ago.

Brown also came runner-up on Mr Prudent in 2002 and third on Lahar in 1999.

The jubiliant victor was also relieved after his triumph in the $A5.5 million ($NZ6.98 million), 23 horse race.

"I won the Cup. I finally won the Melbourne Cup!," Brown said.

"I kept looking up the inside shoulder expecting someone to come through."

But Shocking had kicked clear of Crime Scene with the rest of the field well back.

"Every jockey wants to win. I have just lived my dream," he told Reporters after the race.

The win marks a remarkable comeback for Brown, who lost last year's Cup in a deceptive finish.

He told the Courier-Mail newspaper this week that he feels the pain of last year's Cup every time he looks at a replay.

Brown was riding Bauer and was convinced he had won the Cup only to see his horse pipped when it went to the judge's view.

But he said today's feeling of victory made up for all the disappointments.

"If everyone can feel what I am feeling now, it's just incredible," Brown said.

"I've had a spot on my mantlepiece for this Cup for a long time and now I can finally put one there."

New Zealand horses failed to fire over the 3200m distance today.

Daffodil, Cape Cover, Spin Around, Gallions Reach and Harris Tweed were never sighted at the business end of the race.

Warringah led in the early going and then into the home straight before fading to last.

The Cup was won in pristine conditions. The Flemington track was firm and the skies overhead were clear.

Of all the horses competing, it was Bart Cummings' trained Viewed that was picked for the win, with Roman Emperor the second favourite and Daffodil picked to be runner up. Alcopop was also a contender, with many picking the South Australian horse as a winner.

Turnover on the New Zealand TAB was $7.91 million for the Great Race, TAB racing manager Michael Dore said.

"This is the third highest turnover on record, and it was up 4.1 per cent on last year," Dore said.

Over 100,000 spectators flocked to the fields, many flaunting high fashion.

Melbourne Cup finishing order:

1. Shocking.

2. Crime Scene.

3. Mourilyan.

4. Master O'Reilly.

Sourced from: The New Zealand Herald