German raider Protectionist timed his finishing burst to perfection to win the 154th running of the A$6.2 million (US$5.38 million) Melbourne Cup at Flemington on Tuesday.
The race was overshadowed by the death of favourite Admire Rakti in his stall after the race. The Japanese-trained champion had faded badly over the last few furlongs and finished last.
"The favourite Admire Rakti on return to the stalls after the race has collapsed and died," Racing Victoria chief steward Terry Bailey said.
"Our vets are on hand and the horse will undergo an autopsy. We will have to await those results for the cause of the death."
Bailey said vets had reacted quickly when it was apparent Caulfield Cup winner Admire Rakti, ridden by Hong Kong champion jockey Zac Purton, was unwell.
"Straight away on its performance, normal procedure here, especially the favourite, is for it to be vetted anyway," he said.
"We were certainly on to it and unfortunately in the process of going back to the stalls and getting hosed down and going to the swap box the horse passed away."
Purton said: "He gave me a great thrill at Caulfield and for this to happen to him, it's not fair."
Ridden by Ryan Moore, the five-year-old stayer was boxed in for much of the race but stormed down the final straight after finding a gap to give Germany its first winner of the gruelling 3,200-metre handicap by four lengths.
Hong Kong-owned Red Cadeaux was second for the third time in Australia’s biggest race, while New Zealand-trained Who Shot Thebarman came in third.
“He’s very easy,” Englishman Moore said of the 7-1 shot in a trackside interview. “Very good horse with very strong pace. Once he got the space, he’s amazing.”
Protectionist’s success was the third for a European horse in the last five years after Americain won in 2010 and Dunaden triumphed a year later.
“We have had great success all over the planet but this is the biggest of all,” said trainer Andreas Wohler.
“[Moore] couldn’t have the position he wanted, but he was so patient and when he came around the last bend he just needed the right gap. Ryan is a superstar.
Another runner, Araldo, was taken to a vets hospital in nearby Werribee where he underwent X-rays to determine the extent of an injury to one of his hind legs.
The Mike Moroney-trained stayer, who had finished seventh, was spooked on his way back to the mounting yard when a spectator waved a flag and he kicked out at a fence, injuring the limb in the process.
"He was coming back and basically did a 360. He whipped around and he’s kicked the fence with his right hind," Bailey said.
“It’s unbelievable. Later when we think about it, it’s a moment in your life that you won’t forget.”
International winners
2014 - Protectionist (Germany)
2011 - Dunaden (France)
2010 - Americain (France)
2006 - Delta Blues (Japan)
2002 - Media Puzzle (Ireland)
1993 - Vintage Crop (Ireland)
