2011 Melbourne Cup Results

The 2011 Melbourne Cup has been won by French horse Dunaden who won the Geelong Cup at his only Australian start. He was ridden by international jockey Christophe Lemaire who only arrived in Melbourne the day before to be on standby for the ride as original jockey Craig Williams appealed a riding suspension – he lost.

Second past the post was British horse Red Cadeaux but at the time it looked like a dead heat. The official margins were eventually a nose by 1¼ lengths, with a further nose to the 4^th horse. Although the official margin was a nose between first and second it was actually more like a fingernail and was the closest margin in Melbourne Cup history.

The third horse was Lucas Cranach, who ran 5^th in this year Caulfield Cup, and fast-finishing fourth was last years winner Americain who did tremendously well under his weight and came from well back in the field as they rounded the final turn.

The race didn’t go as anticipated, as expected leader Glass Harmonium missed the start a little and from his wide barrier couldn’t get to the front. Tullamore was also a little tardy leaving the gates. Because there was no one else to set the pace Jim Cassidy went to the lead early on Illo, who eventually finished well back in the field.

The horse that ran last (23^rd) was Modun, who was the most lightly race horse in the field. There were only 23 runners as genuine hope Mourayan was scratched due to a foot problem, and the Melbourne Cup has no emergencies. It was an exciting race with plenty of close racing and it is possible several horses got galloped on. The hard-luck story of the day wasn’t a horse, but was jockey Craig Williams who could have ridden a Melbourne Cup winner.

I hope everyone had a fun and profitable day. Racing returns to Flemington with Oaks day on Thursday and then the final day of the Flemington Carnival is Emirates Stakes day on Saturday 5^th November. Happy punting!.

Jo Jackson