As it happened Melbourne Cup 2021: Verry Elleegant defeats Incentivise to take out the race that stops the nation

Verry Elleegant is officially a champion after knocking off boom horse Incentivise in one of the most memorable Melbourne Cups in recent history.

A wonder mare of nine group 1s coming into Tuesday’s great race, there was conjecture over whether the Chris Waller-trained mare warranted the “champion” tag.

Waller told The Age and the Herald in the lead-up to her last start that a Cox Plate would give her that deserved title, but a Melbourne Cup has done that and more.

Makybe Diva was the last mare to win the Melbourne Cup, in 2005, and she did so with 58 kilograms in her third straight Cup victory.

Click here to read the story and click here to read about winning jockey James McDonald.

Find the full finishing order here.

That’s all we have for the 2021 Melbourne Cup live blog.

Thanks so much for joining us and leaving your comments throughout the day.

Verry Elleegant’s win will be remembered for some time.

We will have more Spring Carnival coverage in the days to come so please keep a watch on our sport pages and thanks to the large team of sport, online and news journalists, producers and photographers who made this live blog possible today.

Please have a lovely evening and bye for now.

The finishing post at Flemington on Melbourne Cup day 2021.Credit: Getty Images

If the past two years have taught us anything, it’s that nothing in life is certain. Not in a pandemic. Not in a Melbourne Cup.

So it seemed only fitting that this year’s Cup was won not by the horse on everyone’s lips, but a horse most had forgotten until she bolted down the Flemington straight like a teenager released from lockdown.

Melbourne Cup winning jockey James McDonald: “It means everything.”Credit: Reg Ryan

She’s Verry Elleegant and on a verry special Cup Day, she stole the show.

Click here to read the story.

Bookmaker Jodie Watts was having a quiet day with her board set up at the end of what is usually the Rails members carpark and has been renamed as the ‘Wildflower precinct’ for today’s Melbourne Cup

Ms Watts said Cup week was traditionally the main week of the year for business but it was off to a slow start with limited crowds.

On track Bookie Jodie Watts at the 2021 Melbourne Cup, Flemington.Credit: Chris Hopkins

“It’s good to be out, people are happy to be out, but I think the clubs are finding their feet a bit,” she said.

“With Covid we lost 90 per cent of our business because we couldn’t come to the track. Real punters want to come on track and be a part of it all.”

Ms Watts said people had become used to betting from home and on their phones rather than putting bets on with bookies.

On a normal Cup day she would be holding $20,000 or $30,000 by the time of the Melbourne Cup but Ms Watts said she was a long way off that today.

Like most bookies Ms Watts is hoping runaway favourite Incentivise doesn’t come in.

“If they get beaten it’s a great day usually as most people bet on the favourite and that’s where you hold most of your money if they get knocked over,” she said.

“Sometimes something from the bottom can come through and there has been a bit of interest in number 21, Tralee Rose, and that’s a nice decent payout if you are in early.”

Thousands of revellers and beach goers descended upon a packed St Kilda foreshore to celebrate the public holiday, but by 6pm any indication the race that stops the nation has been run was no longer at the beach.

Starved of St Kilda throughout spring, thousands of young people paced the boardwalk, playing music and enjoying the surf.

Angie Manly and her friends enjoy a picnic in Fitzroy Gardens.Credit: Simon Schluter

There was not much love lost for heading to Flemington.

“Screw wearing a suit in a tent, watching horses, when you can be next to the beach enjoying life,” said Tyler, 33.

“I’d rather be in a bikini than a fascinator,” said his girlfriend Dylan, 29.

It was a sight Melbourne had not seen in a long time.

Jose, 30, and girlfriend Lilianna, 22, danced on the green next to the beach as the sun went down.

“I’m not interested in those kinds of things,” he said of the Cup.

The pair, with friends, had been teaching each other to salsa.

Police were still present after 6pm, but were mostly handing out water.

Angie Manly and her ten friends took their party to Treasury Gardens for the second year in a row.

She said the cup was an annual tradition for her friends, starting with preparing food the night before and going to Flemington at the crack of dawn to save a parking spot.

“We saved ourselves a lot of money,” she said.

“It’s a different stage in our lives. I don’t miss the crowds, we don’t have to get superly dressed up, we don’t have to get a train.

“We had the iPad out, we did our own little sweep.”

Pre-race, the doubters were out in force.

This was a terrible Melbourne Cup, they said - a poor quality race, lacking in depth, and sadly depleted by a lack of European contenders, frightened off by strict veterinary protocols.

James McDonald winning the Melbourne Cup on Verry Elleegant.Credit: Chris Hopkins

Okay, Incentivise was a potential superstar, they acknowledged: nine wins in a row, a runaway Caulfield Cup triumph, and the bookies marking him up at a shorter price than any previous winner since Phar Lap made the case for him being out of the ordinary.

Click here to read the story.

Hundreds celebrated in style at Melbourne’s luxury The Commons including host and businessman Bruce Keebaugh and his wife, the Real Housewives of Melbourne celebrity, Chyka.

“Hearing laughter and glasses clinking, that’s absolutely what this is about,” Ms Keebaugh said.

Melbourne Cup Carnival Ambassadors - (left to right) Tom Hawkins, Emma Hawkins, Diana Chan ,Bruce Keebaugh ,Christian Petracca, Crystal Kimber and Montana Cox at Flemington racecourse. Credit: Joe Armao

“This suddenly makes the last 18 months better.”

Complete with Shetland pony, dancers, marching band and free flowing Mumm, the exclusive event did not disappoint.

Model and Mumm ambassador Montana Cox said being around people at a major social event was well overdue.

“There’s been so much pent up excitement. Melbourne needed today,” she said.

Tim Kano

The Neighbours’ actor and former model Tim Kano raided the MJ Bale rack for this three-piece suit that delivered Peaky Blinders energy. The colour combination of brown, cream and pale blue should immediately be added to spring inspiration boards.

Tayla Damir, Tim Kano, Kris Smith, Diana Chan and Christian Petracca pictured at the Melbourne Cup.Credit: Eddie Jim

Bec Harding

Brand ambassador and girlfriend of comedian Andy Lee stepped out in the mini trend seen on the runways at Dior and Prada but this time interpreted by local label Scanlan Theodore. A headpiece from Maison Michel and accessories from Bottega Veneta were a refreshing touch of swinging sixties in the Members Enclosure.

Comedian Andy Lee and girlfriend Bec Harding at the 2021 Melbourne Cup.Credit: VRC

Em Scodellaro

The creator of social network sites dedicated to racewear, Em Scodellaro was in the sights of Wild Card entry officials, wearing a sleeveless fluorescent green dress from British designer Emilia WIckstead. The dress managed to hold its own beneath a swirling headpiece from Millinery Jill. “Fingers crossed I make it through to the finals,” Scodellaro said.

Emma Scodellaro from GreenvaleCredit: Eddie Jim

Delta Goodrem

The Delta variant for her performance was also by Mariam Seddiq. The billowing cape on the fitted (practically stitched on to the singer’s toned body) added to her set, which combined the enthusiasm of a Hillsong gathering with the flamboyant touches of a Mardi Gras performance.

Delta Goodrem’s second Mariam Seddiq outift at the Melbourne Cup delivered the appopriate level of camp to spectators.Credit: Getty

Tayla Damir

Reality star Tayla Damir got her start wearing very little on Love Island but has graduated to looking equally appealing dressed from top to toe. The sleeveless floral print dress from Mossman dropped to the ankle but still looked fresh beneath the beating sun. The Olga Berg clutch and Tony Bianco shoes were perfectly prim, banishing all memories of bikinis.

Delta Goodrem

The spirit of Jennifer Hawkins returned to Flemington, embodied by singer Delta Goodrem in a strapless jumpsuit from Sydney designer Mariam Seddiq. The carefully composed combination of sweetness with a trailing pink bow and sexiness with a daring cut dominated the fashion field. A wide-brimmed hat from Nerida Winter kept traditionalists happy, but when you look this good who cares about the rules.

Delta Goodrem chose a lime green jumpsuit by Mariam Seddiq for the Melbourne Cup.Credit: Eddie Jim

Kelly Carty

Racewear enthusiasts can sometimes stray into fancy dress territory but former strapper Kelly Carty kept her look grounded in the real world. A white lace Zimmermann dress was a suitably stylish backdrop for a colourful hat from Tasmanian milliner Meghan Briton, big enough to provide shade for her neighbours.

Kelly Carty.Credit: Eddie Jim

Kris Smith

Former footballer and Myer ambassador Kris Smith has attended enough race days to know how to look stylish, stand out and stay comfortable. Smith’s MJ Bale seersucker jacket kept him cool while others tested the limits of their deodorant in slim jackets. “These Oscar Wylee sunglasses are pretty fresh,” Smith said. “I just have to hold onto them until the end of the day.”

Kris Smith at the Melbourne Cup in 2021.Credit: Eddie Jim

Melissa Leong

At first glance Masterchef judge Melissa Leong appeared to break with Melbourne Cup tradition by wearing a black strapless column dress from Cappellazzo Couture but closer inspection revealed eyelids with all the colours of jockey silks. Make up artist Shella Martin applied the mini paillettes to tie in with a pink shawl, almost upstaged by strands of Van Cleef & Arpels jewellery.

Melissa Leong in Cappellazzo Couture added colour to her Melbourne Cup outfit with striking make-up featuring mini paillettes.Credit: Eddie Jim

Olivia Molly Rogers

Former Miss Universe Australia and mental health advocate Olivia Molly Rogers paired the fast food colours of McDonalds for a luxury result. The yellow dress with an exaggerated embellished collar from Silvana Tedesco was a contemporary nod to the roses worn in lapels on Cup Day. A Colette headpiece kept the budget down without detracting from a polished finish. Definitely one with the lot.

Olivia Molly Rogers.Credit: Getty Images

The Melbourne Cup has been done and won for another year but race goers had plenty of celebrating to do.

Party time at the Melbourne Cup.Credit: Getty Images

Party time at the Melbourne Cup.Credit: Getty Images

Racing Victoria has issued a media release confirming Melbourne Cup runner Tralee Rose has avoided serious injury after being cut on her hind leg during today’s race.

Racing Victoria said:

Racing Victoria has been advised by trainer Symon Wilde and the U-Vet Equine Centre that Tralee Rose did not incur any serious injuries during the running of today’s Melbourne Cup.

The mare was galloped on during the race at Flemington and sustained a laceration on her left hind leg as a result.

As a precaution, she was transported to the U-Vet Equine Centre in Werribee for further examination which confirmed that the mare sustained no structural injuries during the race, only the laceration.

As a further precaution, Tralee Rose will stay overnight at U-Vet before returning to Mr Wilde’s stables in Warrnambool tomorrow.