24 horses jumped out of the barriers in Tuesday's
$6 million Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m), but it developed into a two-horse war down the Flemington straight, with
ALMANDIN proving too tough.
Almandin (red cap) and Heartbreak City fight out the 2016 Melbourne Cup.
In a classic finish of the race that stops the nation,
Kerrin McEvoy aboard Almandin and the Hong Kong based Brazilian superstar nicknamed
“Magic Man” Joao Moreira aboard Heartbreak City bounded away from favourite Hartnell at the top of the straight.
Gapping the rest of the field, the pair went blow to blow to fight out a stirring finish.
McEvoy, who won the Melbourne Cup 16 years ago on
Brew, managed to get the best out of the
Robert Hickmott-trained seven-year-old, edging out the to prevail by an official margin of a long head.
"He travelled like an Oakleigh Plater around there," McEvoy said. "Geez he travelled well. How lucky am I?"
Almandin qualified for the 2016 Melbourne Cup by winning the Bart Cummings Quality (2500m), a fitting tribute to the Cups King, who won 12 Melbourne Cups during his career.
"The elation is unreal," McEvoy said.
"He won in October there and got into the race. It's just a dream. It's great to be a part of it again and to win my second Cup.
"I love these staying races, I love the Melbourne Cup.
"You win one and you just want to win another one. They just keep getting better."
Success - Robert Hickmott - Kerrin McEvoy - Lloyd Williams
McEvoy was a 20-year-old lightweight when he won his first Melbourne Cup, but is now an internationally experienced ultimate professional, a father with a brood at home and another on the way.
(His wife)
"Cathy's at home," McEvoy said.
"I love you guys. I hope you didn't cheer too loud and the baby's popping out.
"My two older boys Charlie and Jake, they went to school today and they would have gained a few more mates sitting there watching it."
Almandin was purchased in Germany after defeating subsequent Melbourne Cup winner Protectionist back in 2014. The son of proven Cup sire Monsun, didn't race for over two years due to a tendon injury.
But the connections' patience was rewarded with a $3.6 million first prize, the victory giving owner Lloyd Williams his fifth Melbourne Cup trophy, a new record.
"
It's big for me because I'm a Melburnian," Lloyd Williams said. "I love it.
"It's super to be here trackside.
“Rob (Hickmott - Trainer) has done a super job with it up there. It's been rehabilitated this horse because it had a tendon."
James McDonald gave Godolphin's number one hope Hartnell every chance, but the Cox Plate runner-up was outstayed, holding down third a further 4-1/4 lengths away, Sheikh Mohammed's quest for his maiden Melbourne Cup win remaining out of reach for another year.
As opposed to the previous year, the 2016 edition was run at a genuine tempo, Secret Number leading Excess Knowledge and Japanese representative Curren Mirotic, but the on-pacers were a spent force on the turn.
Caulfield Cup winner Jameka loomed briefly on the turn but as pedigree suggested, she didn't stay the gruelling 3200-metres, finishing 15th.
So who is Almandin?
Here are interesting facts about the horse:
* The seven-year-old gelding won the Melbourne Cup at his 12th start.
* It was Almandin's fifth career win.
BREEDING:
* By four-time champion German stallion Monsun who has now sired 3 Melbourne Cup winners Fiorente (2013), Protectionist (2014) and Almandin (2016).
OWNERS:
* Bought by influential owner Lloyd Williams in June 2014. When the horse broke down, Lloyd shared the risk on the rehabilitation being successful by syndicating the horse with Sydney businessman and thoroughbred owner John Ingham, Quicksilver founder Alan Green, Rip Curl's Brian Singer, music promoter Michael Gudinski, and construction bosses Vin Sammartino and Phil Mehrten.
HIS LEAD UP:
* Beat subsequent Cup winner Protectionist in the Group 2 Unternehmer Stakes at his final German start in June 2014.
* Had an extended spell due to a tendon issue.
* Finished sixth in first Australian run in June 2016 over 1600m.
* Followed up with two more unplaced efforts.
* Won the Listed Harry White Classic (2400m) at Caulfield on September 24.
* Won the Group Three Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington on October 2 to qualify for the Cup.
* Given a 30-day let-up before winning the Cup on November 1.
ABOUT THE TRAINER:
Robert Hickmott played two games for the Melbourne Football Club at senior level in the AFL but has excelled at racehorse training, now having landed his second Melbourne Cup with Almandin, having trained the Melbourne Cup Winner Green Moon to win in 2012.
Lloyd Williams with Kerrin McEvoy and trainer Robert Hickmott (right).
Rob Hickmott has been with the Macedon Lodge team for 15 years and became head trainer in 2009.
The 47 year-old returned to assist his father John training at Murray Bridge after finishing his football career and spent time with Colin Little and Tony Vasil at Caulfield before joining the Macedon Lodge team.
Almandin won his way into the Melbourne Cup with his last start victory in the Group 3 Bart Cummings at Flemington on October 2 and Rob Hickmott said the preparation had gone smoothly.
"He's had his problems but we've all worked hard on him and this preparation has gone perfectly," Rob Hickmott said.
"I thought his win last start was excellent and he looked well suited here at the weights.
"He has done so well in the last three weeks and he was really brave there.
“Great ride from Kerrin and a reward for all the team at home and the hard work they put in - I wouldn't be here without them.
"You've (Kerrin) had a great strike rate with us over the last year and hopefully that continue through until next Saturday," Hickmott said.
"Lloyd (Williams) is a great mentor and I learn something from him every day."
Robert Hickmott says owner Lloyd Williams's wealth of racing experience was crucial in Almandin's Melbourne Cup win.
Robert Hickmott drew upon owner Lloyd Williams's six decades of racing experience to train Almandin to win the Melbourne Cup.
"He's a wonderful man (Lloyd Williams) to pass on knowledge that he absorbs from people all around the world and from his own experiences in over 60 years of racing," Hickmott said.
"Lloyd, we can't thank you enough for what you've done for us."
Rob Hickmott praised staff at Macedon Lodge for bringing Almandin's temperament under control.
"He was a difficult horse," he said.
"He was a hot horse and now he's a level-headed boy. He's calmed down."
A proud Michael Hickmott celebrates post race holding with his brother Rob's trophy & dad John
Rob Hickmott’s younger brother Michael Hickmott is a trainer at Murray Bridge in South Australia as his his father John Hickmott. Thanks to the generosity of Lloyd Williams, the family was on hand to share Rob's triumph.
Dynamic Syndications own Adam Watt and Michael Hickmott are good friends. The pair watched the race together and celebrated along with Rob, Kerrin McEvoy and the balance of the Cup Party at Crown. Always good for some fun and stories is international jockey Frankie Dettori who added to the sensational evening.
Adam Watt, Kerrin McEvoy Rob Hickmott and Michael Hickmott with "The CUP"
Adam shares stories with Kerrin McEvoy holding his jockey trophy & international jockey Frankie Dettori
Adam Watt at the Cup Winners after party holds the 2016 CUP