‘CAN’T BELIEVE IT’: Raging favourite stunned as ‘forgotten’ horse of the year wins Melbourne Cup
Raging Melbourne Cup favourite Incentivise has been upstaged with reigning Australian horse of the year Verry Elleegant taking out the 2021 Melbourne Cup in a thrilling upset victory.
Incentivise — the shortest-priced favourite since Phar Lap — fell just short at Flemington on Tuesday, finishing in second with import Spanish Mission in third and Floating Artist in fourth.
All the pressure was on Incentivise and it looked the winner into the straight before reining Australian Horse of the Year Verry Elleegant finished with a stunning late burst to capture its 10th Group 1 victory and hand Chris Waller a first Cup victory.
It continued James McDonald’s stunning run as the nation’s most in-form jockey.
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FULL FINISHING ORDER: Where every horse ran
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While nobody was doubt Verry Elleegant’s credentials some, including two-time champion jokcey Corey Brown, felt it was the “forgotten” contender of the Cup. It paid $18 for the victory.
The victory incredibly also broke a 160-year curse — Verry Elleegant was the first horse ever to win from barrier 18 in the history of the race.
“I never thought I'd ever win one, I always dreamed of it,” McDonald said post-race.
“I can’t believe it. This is what dreams are made of. I’m speechless really.
“She was trained by a master. She’s a superstar and I’m so proud of her.
“I love her to bits... her fight and determination takes her so far.”
Incentivise had been well-backed since his showing at the Brisbane carnival and his romp in the Caulfield Cup further encouraged punters’ confidence as he shot for a 10th consecutive win.
Verry Elleegant is the first mare to win the Cup since Makybe Diva in 2005, having carried the most weight (57kg) in a victorious Melbourne Cup run since Makybe Diva ($58) in 16 years ago.
McDonald was widely-praised for his steer on the winner after managing to slot in for midfield cover from barrier 18.
While she has at times over-raced during her illustrious career, Verry Elleegant relaxed into a beautiful rhythm in a favourable trailing spot as the field strung out behind the pacesetter Persan.
Sadly the same could not be said for the well-supported Grand Promenade ($19 into $15), who was caught wide without cover for the entire race after jumping from barrier 20.
The Maher and Eustace galloper did a good job to finish sixth, just ahead of Delphi and Selino.
Las year’s winner Twilight Payment, who surprisingly settled midfield from his inside barrier, finished almost 20L from Verry Elleegant.
It was a disappointing Melbourne Cup for Lloyd Williams, with Pondus finishing 24.6L back in 17th.
Ocean Billy, well-backed from three figures into $31, finished a clear last - some 53.15L from Verry Elleegant.
“Thanks to racing, such an amazing sport,” an emotional Waller said.
“It brings everybody together on the greatest day and everybody has a good time and we’re the lucky ones, with these great horses and yeah, just seeing them come home safe, but at the front of the field safe is pretty special.”
FULL FINISHING ORDER
1st — Verry Elleegant
2nd — Incentivise
3rd — Spanish Mission
4th — Floating Artist
5th — The Chosen One
6th — Grand Promenade
7th — Delphi
8th — Selino
9th — Tralee Rose
10th — She’s Ideel
11th — Twilight Payment
12th — Miami Bound
13th — Great House
14th — Sir Lucan
15th — Explosive Jack
16th — Master of Wine
17th — Pondus
18th — Carif
19th — Knights Order
20th — Persan
21st — Port Guillaume
22nd — Johnny Get Angry
Last Place — Ocean Billy
FULL FLEMINGTON RACE CARD & RESULTS
10.45am - Darley Maribyrnong Plate: 1st 1. Brereton ($6.00, $2.25), 2nd 3. Renosu ($2.45), 3rd 7. Le Gagneur ($4.60), 4th 10. Water Bomber
11.20am - The Macca’s Run: 1st 6. Team Captain ($7.00, $2.40), 2nd 10. Accountability ($1.95), 3rd 1. Good Idea ($4.60), 4th 13. Lion’s Share
12.00pm - Resimaz Group Subzero Handicap: 1st 4. Excelman ($7.00, $2.35), 2nd 6. Naval Envoy ($2.15), 3rd 7. Standoff ($2.90), 4th 3. Housay
12.40pm - Furphy Plate: 1st 3. Milton Park ($7.50, $2.35), 2nd 6. Skyman ($1.60), 3rd. Charleise ($2.35), 4th 1. Best of Days
1.20pm - Grinders Coffee Roasters Trophy: 1st 9. Lackeen ($5.00, $2.00), 2nd 11. Frankie Pinot ($1.75), 3rd 4. Blondeau ($1.80), 4th 3. Fender
1.55pm - The Schweppervescence Plate: 1st 1. Profiteer ($2.15, $1.16), 2nd 5. Direct ($3.40), 3rd 4th. Enthaar ($1.35), 4th 7. Bacchanalia
3pm - The Lexus Melbourne Cup: 1st 4. Verry Elleegant ($18, $5), 2nd 2. Incentivise ($1.45), 3rd 3. Spanish Mission ($3.3), 4th 22. Floating Artist
4pm - The Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes: 1st 2. Rich Hips ($6.50, $2.30), 2nd. 7. Exceldia ($5.70), 3rd 4. Paul’s Regret ($4.80), 4th 3. Belle Plasir
4.40pm - The Tab Trophy: 1st 6. Spirit of Gaylard ($5, $2.10), 2nd. 2. Blushing Tycoon ($5), 3rd 14. Maracana ($1.90), 4th 12. All So Clear
5.15pm - Mss Security Sprint: 1st 14. Quantico ($5.70, $2.30) 2nd 7. Sirius Suspect ($9.40) 3rd 4. Prime Candidate ($2.50)
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