THE sky opened Tuesday morning dumping more rain in two hours in than had fell in the preceding two months.

Yet, Melbourne still managed to turn on its famous ‘four-seasons-in-one-day’ temperament as the track went from slow, to heavy, then back to slow, as the rain cleared, the humidity rose and the course drained.

As 3pm rolled around sunshine greeted the 24 starters for the $7 million Lexus Melbourne Cup as Yucatan remained favourite, albeit a drifting one.

A lack of natural leaders saw Runaway and Ace High move forward from their wide gates to take up the tempo as the field compressed behind them. Going amiss just past the post the first time was The Cliffsofmoher (tragically he had to be euthanised after fracturing a shoulder) who caused havoc with Avilius as Kerrin McEvoy and Cross Counter narrowly avoided his regrettable cascade through the rear of the field.

Settled at the tail, one off the fence and further back than he would have liked, the ride of McEvoy should go straight into the apprentice’s handbook.

An exercise in patience, almost cold in his execution, it was remarkable how far out Cross Counter shaped as the winner to complete a 20-year quest for Sheikh Mohammed since first sending out Faithful Son in 1998 to carry the Godolphin blue.

“At the 1,000 metres I was on the back of Yucatan, which at that stage I thought he would take me where I needed to get to, still under the impression I was a fair way back given the (slow) tempo they had gone,” recounted Kerrin McEvoy.

“He (Yucatan) emptied a bit at the 500 metres and then I was left to make my own way home. He was very responsive and at the furlong I thought, ‘Mate is this happening again?”

The win completing a trio of Cups for McEvoy, after victories with Brew (2000) and Almandin (2016).

“Full credit to Charlie Appleby and the team, it is a huge thrill to win Sheikh Mohammed’s first Melbourne Cup. I’m so lucky to ride light in these handicaps and get support from these stables and it is a real honour to win in these colours.”

Having started with Godolphin in Dubai in 2003 the win completes a circle for Sheikh Mohammed and Kerrin McEvoy, who after thanking his Highness’ family, made special mention of the help he received from Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor and Simon Crisford, as well the bonds forged with Appleby when the pair were lower down the ladder.

“We were kicked up the highway going north a lot, it’s long drives and you’re late getting home but it was fun times. All those day

British Trifecta

THE British have risen to the fore. Charlie Appleby, Hughie Morrison and Charlie Fellowes training a British-bred trifecta, led home by the Teofilo gelding Cross Counter.

Marmelo, by Duke Of Marmalade, improved on his ninth from last year to claim second, a length in arrears.

“He’s run his heart out and he was beaten by a three-year-old at weight-for-age basically,” said Morrison. “We’ll be back with something (next year) I can assure you.”

Ridden by Hugh Bowman, Winx’s jockey subsequently felt the full force of the stewards, copping a 35-meeting ban for three separate incidents in the Cup, careless riding, excessive whip use and weighing-in a kilo over.

Appleby delivers sought after Cup

“THIS is everybody’s dream,” said Charlie Appleby of Godolphin drought-breaking Melbourne Cup, ironically a year after Emirates concluded their naming rights deal.

“This is all to do with Sheikh Mohammed and Godolphin, they are all family. This is a race for years we’ve been trying to win and I’m just in the fortunate position to be able to come here with the right horse. There’s no pressure put upon us. People under pressure make rash decisions. That’s because of Sheikh Mohammed. He instills in us to be positive. If you have a negative, make a positive out of fit.”

In a stellar year that saw Appleby land the Derby at Epsom with Masar, he was quick to reflect on his staff at Werribee, headed up by Chris Connett.

“It’s hard trying to instruct the team when you are far away but we have daily videos and conversations on what needs to be done. There is a great sense of achievement.”