THE MELBOURNE CUP - ONE WEEK LATER

By Graham Potter | Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Going into the Melbourne Cup Carnival racing was in desperate need of an uplifting story but even the most optimistic could not have foreseen what this year’s particular, historic Melbourne Cup result would do for the industry.

Enter Darren Weir, the knockabout Aussie trainer who had progressed from humble beginnings to become a champion of his profession ... taking on beating all comers from all over the world to take out Australia’s greatest racing prize.

Add in Michelle Payne and Prince Of Penzance, the horse she had fought so hard to stay on. Both had to overcome more setbacks in their respective careers than most would have been able to bear, yet they came through together on cue.

Then, top it all off with another hero in the form of Michelle’s brother Stevie, Prince Of Penzance’s strapper who captured the hearts of so many people and the positive picture we had all been looking for was complete.

In essence, there was inspiration all around.

Inspiration that local trainers need have no fear of the international contenders, who now make up almost half of the Melbourne Cup field, and the confirmation that extreme, multi-million dollar wealth is no more a guaranteed path to success than making a mere $50 000 purchase.

Inspiration that female riders can win any race. Payne was the only female rider in the twenty-four strong field but her combination of ability and true grit saw her not only overcome those particular stacked odds on the day but she also took on and beat the weight of history as she became the first female rider to win the Cup in its 155 year history.

Inspiration that, in the right care, a horse can make it back from serious physical setbacks. Prince Of Penzance had suffered his share of injury ... two joint operations, bone chips and a bout of colic and a twisted bowel hardly fits the usual resume of a future Melbourne Cup winner, but his name is now famously in the record books as being just that.

And then there is there is the inspiration that is Stevie Payne. As much as Michelle Payne struck a blow for feminine equality so too did Stevie make a bold statement on behalf of all people with Down Syndrome by showing what they are capable of if surrounded and encouraged by the right support system.

The final outcome of the 2015 Melbourne Cup was so well scripted that there were no luck stories from beaten connections nor even a semblance of outrage from punters at the fact that a $100 chance had made a mockery of the race’s betting odds.

Racing needed an uplifting story.

It had got one in spades ... and nobody was going to spoil it.

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