The $5 million (Australian) Emirates Melbourne Cup (G1) is the world's most famous 2 mile race and is known as "the race that stops a nation". A crowd of 102,411 was on hand on a sunny First Tuesday in November to witness a field of 21 older horses contest the 3200-meter distance around Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne. Caulfield Cup winner Master O'Reilly was sent off as the 3-1 favorite over 9-2 second choice Purple Moon, sixth in the Caulfield after winning the Ebor Stakes at York in England, and 6-1 third choice Zipping, winner of the Mackinnon Stakes just 3 days before the Melbourne Cup.
30-1 outsider Tungsten Strike contested the pace with 9-1 fourth choice Mahler, and 30-1 Sculptor, as the three exchanged the lead for the first 1 1/2 miles, with the balance of the field well strung out. Master O'Reilly stayed back in 16th place early. Turning for home, the field bunched up and the expected cavalry charge ensued, as Mahler took over the lead at the top of the lane. Purple Moon, who had raced in 8th early on, moved up on the turn and pulled away from the pack at the 3/16 pole opening up a brief lead. However, 16-1 Efficient, who sat back in 12th, had to come widest of all to avoid traffic trouble, circling the pack. Efficient hooked Purple Moon at the 1/8 pole and pulled away in the final 50 yards to win by just 1/2 a length in a time of 3:23.34 over the "good" turf course. It was a long 2 1/2 lengths back to Mahler in third. Favorite Master O'Reilly failed to show any rally and finished a disappointing 8th.
Results chart from RacingPost.com
