How good was that?!
Delighted with the result of the Melbourne Cup. Shocking's win makes it the second time in three years I've backed the winner (the other being Efficient in 2007), and three from five for the past five years. Not a bad record, if I do say so myself! The first time I ever managed to pick the winner of the Cup was Ethereal back in 2001, and it's always exciting to see your horse first past the post in the big race.
Shocking jumped from a wide gate (22), and was stuck three deep without cover for almost the entire race, making his win all the more impressive. Godolphin trained outsider Crime Scene came within three-quarters of a length of becoming the first horse from Great Britain to win the world's richest handicap, and Mourilyan would have pleased his connections by running on well for third. Master O'Reilly finished better than everyone but the winner to finish fourth for the second year in a row, and Viewed made late ground for a gallant seventh but never threatened the placegetters. I think the 58kg, coupled with running into a strong head wind during the race, might have just been too much for him. Pre-race favourite Alcopop was a brave sixth, but faded in the final fifty metres.
My brother called after the race to thank me for my tip (he called me this morning, knowing I'd be home for the race) and to tell me he won a bit of money on Shocking. Apparently when he was talking to a few of the guys from uni about the race, he told them "Yeah, my sister knows lots about racing. If she bet, she'd win so much". Aww. It's nice knowing he has so much faith in me.
Congratulations to Shocking, Mark Kavanagh, Corey Brown, and the entire team! It was a great win, and they deserve it!
Shocking jumped from a wide gate (22), and was stuck three deep without cover for almost the entire race, making his win all the more impressive. Godolphin trained outsider Crime Scene came within three-quarters of a length of becoming the first horse from Great Britain to win the world's richest handicap, and Mourilyan would have pleased his connections by running on well for third. Master O'Reilly finished better than everyone but the winner to finish fourth for the second year in a row, and Viewed made late ground for a gallant seventh but never threatened the placegetters. I think the 58kg, coupled with running into a strong head wind during the race, might have just been too much for him. Pre-race favourite Alcopop was a brave sixth, but faded in the final fifty metres.
My brother called after the race to thank me for my tip (he called me this morning, knowing I'd be home for the race) and to tell me he won a bit of money on Shocking. Apparently when he was talking to a few of the guys from uni about the race, he told them "Yeah, my sister knows lots about racing. If she bet, she'd win so much". Aww. It's nice knowing he has so much faith in me.
Congratulations to Shocking, Mark Kavanagh, Corey Brown, and the entire team! It was a great win, and they deserve it!