How Kerrin McEvoy guided Cross Counter to Melbourne Cup glory
CROSS Counter broke through for England’s maiden Melbourne Cup success, and the win was one out of the box. See the key stages as Kerrin McEvoy steered the star stayer to a memorable win. VIDEO
SuperRacing
Don't miss out on the headlines from SuperRacing. Followed categories will be added to My News.
IT was a Melbourne Cup win for the ages.
And it took one cool ride from winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy to ensure Cross Counter sealed his place in Australian racing history.
In a race tinged with heartache, Charlie Appleby’s star youngster stormed home over the top of the field to score a superb Cup victory.
FINISHING ORDER: EVERY RUNNER’S PLACING
TRAGEDY: IRISH CUP RUNNER LOSES LIFE
But it wasn’t until late in the race that Cross Counter looked the winner.
Herald Sun racing expert MICHAEL MANLEY recaps the 3200m Group 1 — and where McEvoy won the race.
Scroll down to see The Daily Telegraph’s MATT JONES dissect the race.
THE START
A PRINCE OF ARRAN in barrier 20 shifts in on top of CROSS COUNTER who is drawn inside him in barrier 19. Kerrin McEvoy elects to go back anyway on Cross Counter.
What a phenomenal win + ride! After settling second last, Cross Counter finished full of running. @kpmcevoy = patience personified. pic.twitter.com/pBqgMUjnZQ
— Racing.com (@Racing) November 6, 2018
WINNING POST — THE FIRST TIME
RUNAWAY is in front from FINCHE but the action is back in the field as THE CLIFFSOFMOHER breaks down and comes back on top of AVILIUS who almost falls Somehow Kerrin McEvoy manages to avoid the broken down horse but he has to switch CROSS COUNTER out of his path abruptly. The favourite YUCATAN is midfield out wide.
UP THE BACK — AT THE 1200m
RUNAWAY still leads from FINCHE. YUCATAN is still wide midfield. CROSS COUNTER is third-last in the picture as McEvoy bides his time.
AT THE 700m
RUNAWAY leads from FINCHE. Kerrin McEvoy is trying to get CROSS COUNTER to the outside. He’s on the inside of WHO SHOT THEBARMAN.
AT THE 400m
SIR CHARLES ROAD has snuck up on the fence to hit the front from FINCHE, VENGEUR MASQUE, A PRINCE OF ARRAN and RUNAWAY, who is weakening. McEvoy pulls CROSS COUNTER to the outside in search of daylight and free galloping space.
AT THE 250M
A PRINCE OF ARRAN out wide has hit the lead but MARMELO on the inside is flying home. FINCHE is fighting on. CROSS COUNTER, in seventh place, is out wide but is starting to fly home. McEvoy can smell victory.
FINISHING LINE
CROSS COUNTER flies home to defeat MARMELO, with two lengths away third A PRINCE OF ARRAN.
MATT JONES: HOW THE RACE WAS WON
THE START
The field jumped evenly and Ace High was up on the speed from a wide gate trying to find a good position but without luck. Kerrin McEvoy, on Cross Counter, preferred to slot in behind the majority of the field from his wide draw. Vengeur Masque and Runaway were challenging for the lead.
FIRST TURN
Just as the field was approaching the first bend The Cliffsofmoher broke down, hampering Avilius, who lost a number of lengths. Cross Counter only just managed to dodge the horse that was pulled up in front. Runaway found the front and Ace High finally got into a spot.
AT THE 1400m
There was not much change to the field at this point but Finchem, who finished fourth, improved his position while the Godolphin pair of Avilius and Cross Counter were back last in a slowly run affair to this point. Rostropovich was caught three deep but had cover.
TURNING FOR HOME
The pressure was well and truly on by now and the field started to fan around the bend as jockeys were looking for clear galloping room. Runaway was still in front but struggling and Finche was looking strong. A Prince Of Arran got into the clear and was full of running. Cross Counter had three horses behind him approaching the turn and pulled wide to make his run.
THE FINISH
Hugh Bowman took Marmelo up the inside for a run and it looked like it was going to pay off as he hit the lead late. But his time in front lasted little more than 100m as Cross Counter, who still had 12 horses ahead of him at the 400m mark, flew home out wide to take the lead at the 50m mark and snatch the win with a handful of strides left.
Originally published as How Kerrin McEvoy guided Cross Counter to Melbourne Cup glory