| R7 FLEMINGTON | 06 November 2018 |
| Lexus Melbourne Cup G1 3U OPEN ($7,300,000), 3200m 3:21.17 | |
| Race Synopsis: Cross Counter capped a great year for Godolphin and trainer Charlie Appleby in taking out Australia's most famous race after the trainer won the Derby (Gr 1, 1m4f) at Epsom in June. Ridden patiently by Kerrin McEvoy, the Northern Hemisphere three-year-old settled a distant 22nd and was still well back before commencing his move nearing the 600m. He switched deep on straightening, was 12th at the 400m and then finished strongly under his light weight (51kg) to well in an impressive staying performance. Marmelo raced well back in 20th place before improving between runners coming to the home turn. He switched to the inner on straightening, got through to take the lead at the 200m, only to be caught over the closing stages for a gallant second. A Prince Of Arran had a good trip in eighth place, went to sixth at the 800m, improved between runners coming to the home turn, looked dangerous when he challenged strongly at the 300m and then battled well for a very good third. Finche went forward from his wide barrier (15), raced outside the leader (Runaway), went to the front at the home turn and then fought on very well for (3.5 lengths) fourth after running a bold race. Rostropovich began well but was caught wide from his difficult barrier (21) racing in sixth place. He was under pressure coming to the home turn but he kept battling on really well for (4.5 lengths) fifth, his wide barrier proving costly. The sole female in the race, Youngstar raced in tenth place, went deep and into clear running on straightening and then fought well for (5.8 lengths) sixth in a very honest performance. Of the others: Best Solution was slowly away, settled near the tail of the field, got along the inner in the straight to finish (8.8 lengths) eighth, Muntahaa was back in 15th place but did not really threaten, finishing (9.6 lengths) ninth, as too Yucatan who was 12th in the mid-staged before finishing (12 lengths) 11th, Magic Circle was handily place but tired for (20 lengths) 16th while Avilius (22nd) lost all chance being badly checked in the early stages when The Cliffsofmoher broke down. | |
Full Race of the 2018 Lexus Melbourne Cup.
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