Jamie Melham and Half Yours take historic Melbourne Cup win
Jamie Melham has joined Michelle Payne in the record books, becoming only the second woman to ride the winner of the Melbourne Cup, after steering Half Yours to a decisive success in Tuesday’s 3200-metre feature at Flemington.
The triumph marked Melham’s 19th at Group 1 level and saw Half Yours become the latest to pull off the coveted Caulfield Cup–Melbourne Cup double — an achievement reserved for some of the most elite stayers in racing history.
Melham was overwhelmed in the moments that followed. “What just happened? Oh my god! I’ve had an amazing year. I got married, I’ve had some really great days on the track, but nothing ever, ever compares to this feeling right now.”
Sent out at $9, Half Yours put the race away in the final stages to score by 2¾ lengths over Goodie Too Shoes ($41), with Middle Earth ($26) another 1½ lengths adrift in third, ensuring Joseph O’Brien would not claim his third Cup.
The result was the culmination of a long-held ambition for trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy, who now proudly join the list of those to complete the spring’s most revered staying treble of major victories.
Tony, who claimed the Cox Plate in 2003 with Fields Of Omagh, said the Cup triumph was every bit as special.
“I lost sight of him when that leader went out,” Tony said, referencing Land Legend’s bold mid-race breakaway.
“My eyes aren’t as good as they were and I caught him ducking back to the inside. What a thrill and what a horse he is, and what a joy he is for us.”
Prestige Nocturne, the $5.50 favourite, beat home only a handful of rivals in 19th place.
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