The Cup Page #9

settles. Starter to the ladder.

And they're about to go.

Alright, buddy.

This one's for Jase.

Racing. Helene Vitality

a little slow.

Distinctly Secret got out

quickly. So did Prized Gem.

Thong Classic near the outside.

Victory Smile and Daliapour

into stride fast.

Vinnie Roe's getting across

to be just behind

the leading bunch,

Media Puzzle ahead of him.

Settling down now.

Racing up on the 2,800m mark.

Daliapour on the inside and

Victory Smile are the leaders.

Wider out, Sandmason going on.

Requiem just inside him.

And then followed by Hatha Anna

on the improve on the outside.

Damien has Media Puzzle

behind the speed,

closely followed by Cyclades.

Pugin's going up wide, too,

around County Tyrone,

and then followed by Vinnie Roe.

Helene Vitality from the

outside, and then Pentastic,

Distinctly Secret, Mr Prudent...

(Hoofs thundering)

Media Puzzle's in good shape.

So is Vinnie. And everyone else.

Then Rain Gauge and Freemason

three lengths away.

Out of the straight.

Sandmason may claim the Cup.

A length and a half clear.

Hatha Anna second.

Pugin next, travelling three

deep. Damien has Media Puzzle...

(Hoofs thundering)

DERMOT:
It's almost time.

- Time for what?

For Godolphins

to show their hand.

RACE CALLER:

And Godolphins on the move.

Sandmason led narrowly.

Hatha Anna's up to second now.

Dettori has Pugin

just behind them.

Vinnie Roe is making a move.

Media Puzzle next,

with Victory Smile

on his inside, about midfield.

Then followed by Pentastic,

Thong Classic.

Jardines Lookout is well back

and so is Hail.

(Thundering hoofs)

Beekeeper's covering some ground

and so too Mr Prudent,

but Damien Oliver's giving

Media Puzzle a charmed run

in behind the pace,

which was set by Sandmason.

Come on, big fella. Come on!

(Thundering hoofs)

..a fast-run Melbourne Cup.

Pugin is third.

Will one of them go after him?

Not Damien or our Pat.

Those two know better than

to go chasing rabbits.

They've been warned.

..Followed by Pentastic.

Distinctly Secret, Mr Prudent,

County Tyrone,

then followed by Media Puzzle

outside Victory Smile,

and then Thong Classic.

Hatha Anna has dashed

to the front now

for Godolphin by three.

In second placing Sandmason,

then Pugin.

Then Beekeeper.

He's followed by Pentastic.

Vinnie Roe's gone up to fourth,

followed by Daliapour,

as they come to the home turn.

Let's see what he's got, Pat.

Media Puzzle's working into it

for Ollie.

- Yes! Yes!

- ..and Beekeeper's coming.

They're followed by Mr Prudent

as they twist the corner.

Now, boys, now!

And now Media Puzzle.

Damien's winding him up.

Media Puzzle and Vinnie Roe

neck and neck.

Come on there, boys!

You're both in it!

The two great Irish gallopers

are coming.

But so too wide out now

Beekeeper and Mr Prudent.

One of them's going to do it!

Still there's nothing

between them! What a finish!

Passing the 350.

Damien Oliver sends Media Puzzle

to the lead,

ahead of Vinnie Roe,

who can't find.

Back behind them -

Beekeeper and Mr Prudent.

But Damien Oliver,

riding with

the spirit of Jason...

BOTH:
Oh! Oh! Oh!

I think he's got the Cup won.

(Loud cheering)

Yes! Come on!

BOTH:
Yes! Yes! Yes!

..But it's Media Puzzle clear,

and Media Puzzle!

Damien and Dermot have done it.

(Crowd roars)

Oh! Magnificent, Dermot!

Yeah! Good boy!

My boy! Yes!

(Cheering)

RACE CALLER:
And then

Victory Smile. Helene Vitality.

Pugin and Hatha Anna

at the tail, with Sandmason.

And Requiem is one of the last.

It will be the most

emotion-charged Melbourne Cup

reception in history.

(Applause)

Damien Oliver has done it.

The riders in the stand were

with him every step of the way.

ALL:
Yes!

Sometimes I think

you're the devil himself!

Good on you, mate.

Good on you. Eh?

(Applause)

For Damien! For us!

For everyone!

Yeah, I know, I know.

Media Puzzle!

Who would have thought it?

I thought the turns

were supposed to be

the key to winning this race.

Australia's top jockey

once told me so.

But today, I lost it

on the straight.

- Way to bring him home, matey.

- Thanks, Pat.

- Magnifico, Damien.

- Hey.

No-one could beat

you today, huh?

The saints, I think,

they would not allow it.

Thanks, Frankie.

Ollie.

Hey. Another 20 yards,

you would have had me.

- Not with him riding with you.

- Good on you, mate. Cheers.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I don't think there's ever been

a more popular Melbourne Cup

winner...

No.14, Media Puzzle,

ridden by Damien Oliver.

# Majestic music.

RACE CALLER:

Everyone at Flemington

was riding with you, Damien.

A supercharged ride.

And the Irish wizard,

Dermot Weld,

has rewritten the record books

yet again.

Bloody rogue.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome

back to the winners enclosure.

A more popular

Melbourne Cup winner,

I don't think we've ever seen.

Media Puzzle, Damien Oliver

and Dermot Weld.

DAMIEN:
Thanks.

- (Laughs)

Damien!

Trish.

# Triumphant music.

(Laughs)

Ladies and gentlemen,

it's my greatest pleasure

at these awards to say

that this was a very special day for me

when I saw my two brave horses

turn for home

upsides of the Melbourne Cup.

That's what you dream about.

And I was so proud of Media Puzzle.

He got a wonderful ride

from Damien Oliver.

Vinnie Roe ran a superb race,

but it was Media Puzzle's day today.

(Applause)

To all the people out there in the crowd,

you've been a wonderful support

through the last two days,

through this trying time.

And my brother, Jason,

I know you're up there, mate.

And I couldn't have done it

without you, buddy,

so this one's for you.

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