Shocking holds off Crime Scene to win $5-million Melbourne Cup

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Shocking holds off Crime Scene to win $5-million Melbourne Cup



Tue Nov 3, 9:41 AM

By The Associated Press


MELBOURNE, Australia - Shocking won the US$5 million Melbourne Cup on Tuesday to give trainer Mark Kavanagh his second victory in four days.

A 10-1 entry in the two-mile classic, Shocking pulled away from the pack with Irish stayer Crime Scene in the straight and won by three-quarters of a length.

South Africa-trained Mourilyan, owned by Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov, ran on late for third place.

The Melbourne Cup is the biggest event on the Australian racing calendar and draws more than 100,000 people to Flemington race course and millions of viewers on TV.

Kavanagh said he worked Shocking specifically with the 149th Melbourne Cup in mind, saying the four-year-old Colt had needed a weekend run at the Lexus Stakes, which he won Saturday.

"He was so good on Saturday and he improved, he improved since that run and his preparation was timed to perfection," Kavanagh said in a TV interview.

Brown, who was second in a photo finish on Bauer in last year's Melbourne Cup and also runner-up in 2002, said he knew just after coming into the straight that he could win it with Shocking.

"In the back of my mind I didn't think I could win but once I got to about the 300 I thought I was a winner," he said. "I wish everyone could experience the feeling that I'm having right now 'cause it's just unbelievable."

Master O'Reilly placed fourth, with Harris Tweed in fifth place.

Late favourite Alcopop was sixth, ahead of 2008 champion Viewed, one of three entries for 12-time winning trainer Bart Cummings.