Melbourne Cup 2015: Prince Of Penzance wins great race as jockey Michelle Payne creates history

PRINCESS of the turf Michelle Payne has created racing history by becoming the first woman rider to win the Melbourne Cup. See how the race was won

PRINCESS of the turf Michelle Payne has created racing history by becoming the first woman rider to have won a Melbourne Cup.

Payne guided outsider Prince Of Penzance home in front of a crowd in excess of 101,000 for Ballarat trainer Darren Weir at the odds of $101.

But her historic victory was soured somewhat when sentimental favourite and three-time runner-up Red Cadeaux, starting in his fifth Melbourne Cup, pulled up distressed in the home straight.

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The 10-year-old gelding has been transferred to Werribee equine clinic and is undergoing an operation for a serious fetlock injury.

Afterwards, Payne was not shy about letting the world know what the win meant for her and for women’s struggle for credibility within the racing industry.

“Darren Weir’s given me a go when it’s such a chauvinistic sport,” Payne said immediately after her victory.

Michelle Payne kisses brother and strapper Stephen Payne. Picture: Getty Images

“I know some of the owners were keen to kick me off Prince and John Richards and Darren stuck really solid with me.

“I put in all the effort I could. I galloped him every gallop he had ... I can’t say how grateful I am to them and I just want to say ... everyone else can get stuffed because they think women aren’t strong enough, but we just beat the world.”

It was Weir’s fifth runner and first triumph in a Melbourne Cup.

His mare She’s Archie finished second to Makybe Diva in 2003 and last year Signoff finished fourth.

Payne settled Prince Of Penzance midfield from barrier one and then eased him out wide with 600m to go.

It was an incident-packed race with six jockeys being questioned by stewards.

International superstar Frankie Dettori - who rode second-placed Max Dynamite - was fined $20,000 and suspended for a month for causing severe interference.

Prince Of Penzance has become the equal longest-priced winner in Melbourne Cup history and the longest since 1940.

One punter collected $252,000 after having $2000 at $126 in a Victorian TAB less than 30 minutes before the race. There were also two $500 place bets at $26.

HOW THE RACE WAS WON

START: PRINCE OF PENZANCE (barrier 1) jumps out well but lets MAX DYNAMITE (2) two strides in front. CRITERION (4) also jumps well. FAME GAME (12) jumped well but is restrained by his jockey.

The Melbourne Cup field makes its way down the Flemington straight for the first time.

FIRST TIME TO THE POST: EXCESS KNOWLEDGE (24) and BIG ORANGE (23) have worked across to be first and second. Another horse drawn out QUEST FOR MORE (21) has also worked across and had tucked into third. SNOW SKY (16) has settled fourth. PRINCE OF PENZANCE is 11th on the fence directly behind BIG ORANGE.

Big Orange leads the way as the Cup field rounds the first bend. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

1800m MARK: They are not running along and there’s been little to no change. BIG ORANGE still leads from EXCESS KNOWLEDGE with QUEST FOR MORE third and SNOW SKY fourth. The three placegetters are all on the fence with CRITERION fifth and MAX DYNAMITE seventh. PRINCE OF PENZANCE is 10th on the fence.

ENTERING THE STRAIGHT: Michelle Payne has started her move, easing PRINCE OF PENZANCE off the fence and he is travelling well in seventh place. BIG ORANGE still in front from EXCESS KNOWLEDGE, with SNOW SKY, TRIP TO PARIS, SKY HUNTER and BONDI BEACH in a line away from the fence. PRINCE OF PENZANCE is right behind TRIP TO PARIS.

The Melbourne Cup field head into the straight as jockeys make their moves. Picture: Tim Carrafa

300m MARK: EXCESS KNOWLEDGE has hit the front from BIG ORANGE and CRITERION. OUR IVANHOWE looking for an inside run. Michelle Payne is about to ask PRINCE OF PENZANCE, who has ambled into the race, to go.

100m MARK: PRINCE OF PENZANCE had surged to the front and has the Cup at his mercy. MAX DYNAMITE is running on strongly. CRITERION, TRIP TO PARIS and EXCESS KNOWLEDGE fight out the placings.

Prince Of Penzance holds off a fast-finishing Max Dynamite to win the Melbourne Cup. Picture: Colleen Petch

RELIVE OUR COVERAGE OF THE BIG DAY IN THE WINDOW BELOW

WOMEN AND THEIR FLEMINGTON JOURNEY

1915: Mrs E A Widdis becomes the first woman to own a Melbourne Cup winner, Patrobas.

1987: Maree Lyndon breaks ground as the first woman to ride in a Melbourne Cup finishing 20th on Argonaut Style.

2001: Sheila Laxon makes history as the first female to train a Melbourne Cup winner with New Zealand mare Ethereal.

2007: Two female jockeys ride in a Melbourne Cup for the first time. Clare Lindop finishes fifth on Dolphin Jo and Lisa Cropp ninth on Sculptor.

2013: Gai Waterhouse becomes the second female to train a Cup winner when Fiorente is victorious.

2015: Michelle Payne makes history as the first female jockey to win a Melbourne Cup on Prince Of Penzance.

Prince Of Penzance trainer Darren Weir and jockey Michelle Payne celebrate their victory.

Originally published as Melbourne Cup 2015: Prince Of Penzance wins great race as jockey Michelle Payne creates history