Twilight Payment wins the Melbourne Cup in heroic effort
Twilight Payment has won the Melbourne Cup in a thrilling finish, holding off Tiger Moth in heroic fashion.
Twilight Payment has won the Melbourne Cup in a thrilling finish.
The Irish raider led from start to finish in one of the most astounding Melbourne Cup rides seen in recent years.
Jockey Jye McNeil's huge gamble to make his way forward and set the pace early paid off dramatically as he led home Tiger Moth and Prince of Arran in a photo finish.Twilight Payment had been a $27 long shot on the morning of the race.
The eight-year-old gelding gave trainer Joseph O'Brien his second Melbourne Cup win and owner Lloyd Williams a staggering seventh Melbourne Cup - and his third Melbourne Cup win in five years.
The win was also McNeil's first ever Cup win - in his first ever Melbourne Cup ride.
Twilight Payment had to do it the hard way to claim the record $4.7m prize (including $250,000 Melbourne Cup trophy) in the $8 million richest handicap race on the planet.
The international raider led by more than six lengths as they began to make the turn from the back straight.
Only Finche was able to go with Twilight Payment as they made the turn - and nobody could go with the marvellous horse down the famous Flemington straight winning ahead of Tiger Moth by less than half a body.
An emotional McNeil couldn't hide his rich feelings when interviewed straight after the race.
"There's too many emotions, it's a very big moment," he told Channel 10.
"Jess and the boy, Oakley, will be watching from home today, and unfortunately they couldn't be here, but I'm sure them, along with a lot of people, will be very proud.
"To be able to get the opportunity from the Williams family to partner Twilight Payment today – not only them, but also Joseph O'Brien, who's done a fantastic job preparing him - yeah, it's very overwhelming."
Originally published as Twilight Payment wins the Melbourne Cup in heroic effort