Godolphin’s wait for a Melbourne Cup winner goes on as Almandin wins in thrilling finish

Jockey Kerrin McEvoy, riding Almandin, wins the Melbourne Cup ahead of Heartbreak City at Flemington Racecourse. Joe Castro / Reuters

Godolphin’s wait for a winner in the Melbourne Cup will continue for another year after Almandin beat Heartbreak City by a nose in a thrilling finish to give Australian owner Lloyd Williams a record fifth win in the race.

The UAE-based stable had five runners in the Melburne Cup, including pre-race favourite Hartnell, who was third across the line, followed by fellow Godolphin horse Qewy in fourth.

Beautiful Romance was the next best placed runner from Godolphin, coming home in seventh, with Oceanographer — the winner of the Lexus Stakes on Saturday — finishing 12th. Secret Number completed Godolphin’s interest at Flemington, placing 21st.

The Godolphin stable has been coming to the Flemington racecourse since 1998 and the closest it has come to victory are three runner-up placings.

It was a second Melbourne Cup triumph for local trainer Robert Hickmott, who rehabilitated Almandin over 18 months off the track following a tendon injury after acquiring it in Germany.

McEvoy, who won his first Melbourne Cup with Brew in 2000, got Almandin home from the Tony Martin-trained Irish stayer Heartbreak City and ridden by Hong Kong-based Brazilian jockey Joao Moreira. Almandin’s victory ensured the winner took home AUS$3.6 million (Dh10.12m)

“He travelled well. How lucky am I, mate?” McEvoy said immediately after the win.

“The elation is unreal. Just a dream race. Great to be part of it again. Second cup.”

The win made Williams the most successful owner in Melbourne Cup history following his previous successes with Just a Dash (1981), What a Nuisance (1985), Efficient (2007) and Green Moon (2012).

“It’s high on the agenda, this one,” Williams said, when asked how this triumph rated with his other successes.

“This horse had a (damaged) tendon, he was broken down. No, it’s quite emotional about this one. The boys have done a fabulous job with getting this horse back.”

MELBOURNE CUP RACE RESULTS

1. Almandin — 3:20:58

2. Heartbreak City — 0.2L

3. Hartnell — 4.45L

4. Qewy — 6.7L

5. Who Shot Thebarman — 6.8L

6. Almoonqith — 6.9L

7. Beautiful Romance — 7.9L

8. Exospheric — 8.65L

9. Pentathlon — 9.4L

10. Big Orange — 9.5L

11. Grand Marshal — 9.8L

12. Oceanographer — 10L

13. Bondi Beach — 10.75L

14. Grey Lion — 13.75L

15. Jameka — 13.95L

16. Excess Knowledge — 15.7L

17. Our Ivanhowe — 15.8L

18. Sir John Hawkwood — 20.8L

19. Assign — 20.9L

20. Gallante — 22.15L

21. Secret Number — 22.35L

22. Wicklow Brave — 24.35L

23. Curren Mirotic — 27.35L

24. Rose of Virginia — 99.9L

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