GOLD TRIP won a dramatic Melbourne Cup after a vandal broke onto the course and sprayed 1000 litres of 'oily sludge'.
Trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace and jockey Mark Zahra – who first experience of Melbourne Cup day was breaking his arm and leg in the race before on his first visit to Flemington – landed the £2.5million cheque.
The 20-1 shot, tipped up by Sun Racing columnist Matt Chapman, won by a comfortable two lengths from 25-1 Emissary and 40-1 High Emocean in third.
British raider and 17-5 favourite Deauville Legend for trainer James Ferguson finished a respectable fourth, picking up £188,000.
But 'the race that stops a nation' was thrown into chaos just hours before when an unknown so-called activist was filmed vandalising the racecourse.
Local reports claimed 1000 litres of a black substance were dumped onto the turf about a mile from the finish post.
Clearly no thought was given to the safety of the horses and jockeys, who later thundered over the turf at close to 40mph.
A Racing Victoria statement read: "RV Stewards have assessed the Flemington track following notification of some damage to the surface at the 1500m mark.
Most read in Horse Racing
I'm Man Utd fan going to dream first Old Trafford game after winning £64k bet
I banged in 10-1 treble on Monday and reveals Tuesday's big NAP at Redcar
Watch incredible moment top racehorse Hewick drinks a pint at his local pub
Matt Chapman and Templegate's Melbourne Cup picks plus complete guide
OFFERS OF THE DAY
William Hill: Bet £10 Get £30 in free bets – CLAIM HERE
Betfair: Bet £10 Get £30 – CLAIM HERE
Paddy Power: Bet £20 and get it back as cash if it loses – CLAIM HERE
Sky Bet: Bet £10 on Racing and get £30 in free bets –CLAIM HERE
Ladbrokes: Bet £5 Get £20 – CLAIM HERE
Coral: Bet £5 Get £20 – CLAIM HERE
William Hill: 18+. Play Safe. From 00:01 on 13.04.2022. £30 bonus. New customers only. Minimum £10 stake on odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on sportsbook. Further terms apply. Begambleaware.org
Betfair – Place a min £10 bet on the Sportsbook on odds of min 1/2 (1.5), get £30 in Free Bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. SMS verification required. Only deposits via cards will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly 18+ begambleaware.org
Paddy Power: New customers only. Place your FIRST bet on any market at odds of min 2.0 (EVS) and if it loses we will refund your stake in CASH. Max refund for this offer is £20. Only deposits made using cards will qualify for this promotion. T&Cs apply. 18+ Begambleaware.org
Sky Bet: New customers only. First single & e/w bet only odds of 1/1 or greater. 3 x £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets only redeemable on horse racing. Free bets are non withdrawable. No free bet expiry. Eligibility restrictions and further t&cs apply.
Ladbrokes: 18+ New UK+IRE Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first £/€5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 4x £/€5 free bets. Free bets available to use on selected sportsbook markets only. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. Restrictions + T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Coral: Eligible UK+IRE players. Paypal & some deposit & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. No cash-out, restrictions & T&Cs apply. 18+ T&Cs Apply. Begambleaware.org
"Remedial work has been undertaken by VRC track staff.
"The track has been deemed safe for racing by RV Stewards with no impact on the conduct of today’s meeting."
Fortunately the idiot's efforts ultimately had no impact on the huge day thanks to the heroic efforts of ground staff.
The win was sweet redemption for 40-year-old Zahra, who was denied a ride on last year's winner Verry Elleegant due to suspension.
And in a brilliant but X-rated interview afterwards he explained just how much victory meant to him.
Asked what was going through his mind in the closing stages as he charged home on the top weight, the jockey said: "(I was thinking) just p**s off, no one come near me!
"I feel like crying. It’s unbelievable. What a day.
"He’s a horse that when you go, you don’t give him a chance to think about it.
"It’s just elation when I crossed the line. What an amazing feeling."
Eustace, who grew up at his dad James' Newmarket yard and learned his trade with top English trainer Roger Varian, said: "I can’t believe it. Obviously a bit overcome.
"Yeah, it’s obviously a dream that we all want to achieve."
More to follow.
FREE BETS GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chases their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
Source: Read Full Article
