Knight’s Choice, an unexpected contender, emerged victorious at the 164th Melbourne Cup held at Flemington Racecourse on Tuesday. The horse surged down the final stretch, narrowly defeating Warp Speed in a gripping photo finish. Okita Soushi claimed third place.
Ridden by jockey Robbie Dolan and carrying a weight of 51.5 kg in the demanding two-mile handicap race, Knight’s Choice delivered a stunning performance, giving co-trainer Sheila Laxon her second Melbourne Cup victory—23 years after she led Ethereal to win the prestigious trophy in 2001.
Expressing his disbelief, an emotional Dolan remarked, “Pinch me, I’m dreaming,” highlighting the unexpected nature of the win for the 80/1 outsider. He noted, “I thought my best chance was to get him to stay the trip and, hopefully, he can run home and do the quick sectionals he can on a good track and he proved everybody wrong.”
The race faced a slight adjustment with the withdrawal of Athabascan, trained by John O’Shea and Tom Charlton, who was scratched by stewards due to a heart issue, reducing the field to 23 horses.
Overall, this year’s Melbourne Cup is a testament to the unpredictable nature of horse racing and the emergence of new champions, reminding fans of the sport’s excitement and drama. The remarkable story of Knight’s Choice represents hope and achievement, inspiring many beyond the racetrack.
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