Jockey James MacDonald realized his Melbourne Lexus Cup dream while Very Elegant turned away from its rivals to claim the famous race.
The Chris Waller-trained mare added her 10th win in the first set to her record as she edged out the favorite catalyst by four lengths in the AC Milan advantage on Tuesday – a victory that McDonald believes cements Verry Elleegant’s number one position.
The rider was originally booked to ride the British-trained Away He Goes before an injury ruled him out last week and MacDonald described his win as a «fairy tale».
«It means everything,» he told www.racing.com. «It’s the only race I’ve ever dreamed of riding and winning.
«This is how you want to win the Melbourne Cup.
“I couldn’t believe the position I first got from the rectum, she was so relaxed and never touched the bridle until I gave her a kick at the 600m mark and it sucked.
“I could have seen the favorite being pushed, but I saw that in the Caulfield Cup too. When I got past him, I just wanted that position to show up.
«Driving horses like Verry Elleegant every carnival is just a huge privilege and we’ve really made it.»
Verry Elleegant has enjoyed some notable fights with William Haggas’ Addeybb over the past two years, with her first group tally including distances from seven furlongs to this two miles.
MacDonald was happy to settle his mount in the middle of the class during the early stages as Incentivize raced in second during the majority of the race, but Verry Elleegant was clearly traveling well with the pitch turned home.
Spanish Mission striker Andrew Balding was in the perfect position to make a mid-lane run as Incentivize came home, but Verry Elleegant was sitting on his shoulder and when MacDonald gave the signal the response was immediate.
Ferry Elegant managed to outrun the last half to score a 16-1 goal in the British and Irish industry market, with the Spanish expedition staying all the way for Craig Williams but failing to capture Incentivize for the second time at half length.
Former inmate float artist Richard Hannon placed fourth, while defender Joseph O’Brien, Twilight Push, finished 11th.
The winner of the Lexus Melbourne Cup is Verry Elleegaant # Cup and be 10 #malburnkop pic.twitter.com/8JeMKnp2Yb
– 10 Sport (@10SportAU) November 2, 2021
Waller watched the race with his family at his Sydney home and admitted it was a special moment to win his first trophy in Melbourne.
«When I crossed the line, I was very emotional,» Waller said.
«I really wanted to be there to share it with the staff and those who worked hard, but watching it with my family made it so special.»
Known for Waller who handled a 25-time Winx Group 1 winner and four-time Cox Plate champion, Waller added, «It’s great to have other mare like this.
“We have had some great and important victories, and this is definitely one of them.
“It’s the Melbourne Cup so it’s very special and the way she won it. She pulled it off and showed her class.
«It was the race class and it showed that with this finish I will never forget it.»
Jockey Craig Williams admitted that the Spanish mission was no match for the winner, but was pleased with his position.
He said, «I couldn’t have been impressed with his brave performance. I had a choice to be one horse for the whole race, but decided to be on the back of the Grand Promenade, I thought it would take me well racing and we did. But when the Fairy Elegant came around, It was dripping.
«My horse did a really good job and was fighting in second place. Great job by Andrew Balding and his team in planning and what a brave warrior to battle with.»
Incentivize was kicked out of the lowest fare since Phar Lap in 1930 and his racer Brett Prebble said, «Brave effort. His first time on this ride and it took a hero to beat it.»
Twilight Payment was a touch slow to fall apart, and jockey Jye McNeil said, «He wasn’t able to do his usual part and halfway through he was really struggling.»