Melbourne Cup 2021 live coverage, result: Verry Elleegant seals trainer Chris Waller, jockey James McDonald their first Cup win

With a withering turn of foot, Verry Elleegant demolishes the Melbourne Cup field as Flemington parties its way out of a pandemic.

Verry Elleegant, ridden by James McDonald, wins the Melbourne Cup at Flemington racecourse. Picture: Getty Images

It was supposed to be all about Incentivise - the shortest-priced favourite since Phar Lap. Somebody forgot to tell that to reigning horse of the year, Verry Elleegant, who with a blistering finish demolished a Melbourne Cup field to write herself into the record books. In the process she gave jockey James McDonald and trainer Chris Waller - who watched from his lounge room in Sydney - their first taste of Melbourne Cup victory. The mighty mare, ridden a treat by McDonald, was devastating, settling mid-field before gobbling up the gutsy Incentivise in the straight, and careering away to win by four lengths. As they partied their way out of a pandemic in Melbourne, Here's how Cup day unfolded: