The $5.65 million (Australian) Emirates Melbourne Cup (G1) is known as the race that stops a nation. A field of 22 (down from the originally drawn 24 after Yellowstone and Zarita scratched) older horses went to post in this 3200 meter (about 2 mile) trip over the turf course at Flemington in Melbourne. A crowd of 107,280 was on hand on Tuesday afternoon, enjoying ideal racing conditions, sunny skies and temperatures in the 60's. European import Mad Rush was sent off as the 9-2 favorite over 5-1 second choice Nom de Jeu and 6-1 Septimus, one of three horses trained by Aidan O'Brien. 8-1 fourth choice Profound Beauty was the only other horse at single digits on the toteboard.
US pay-offs for the 2008 Melbourne Cup
Results chart with Australian pay-offs from TAB Racing Victoria
Results chart with running comments from RacingPost.com
