New Zealand-bred horse Verry Elleegant has won the Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse.
Photo: Getty Images
The six-year-old mare ridden by James McDonald and trained by Chris Waller is Australia's reigning Horse of the Year.
The race favourite Incentivise finished second and one of the few international horses British-trained galloper Spanish Mission crossed the finish line in third.
The Melbourne Cup race welcomed spectators back to Flemington Racecourse after Covid-19 forced the tens of thousands of fans that normally turn up to watch from elsewhere.
Earlier today, the starting field was cut down to 23 horses as outsider Future Score was forced to withdraw after failing a veterinary check.
Meanwhile on our side of the Tasman, Melbourne Cup betting numbers are on track to break the record set last year, when $11.5 million was wagered on the race, the TAB says.
Despite TAB outlets in Covid level-3 areas being closed, TAB spokesperson Thad Taylor says a total bet of at least $12m is expected today.
As usual, New Zealand punters are getting behind horses with New Zealand ties.
There are seven New Zealand-bred horses in the race, but just two New Zealand trained, The Chosen One and Ocean Billy.
Outsider Ocean Billy, owned and trained by Rotorua's Bill Pomare, is the most strongly backed on this side of the Tasman.
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