Prince Of Penzance wins 2015 Emirates Melbourne Cup Group 1 $6 Million at Flemington (VIC), 3200m
Prince Of Penzance was a bit slow to move from his inside barrier (1) and settled in tenth place on the rails, following a moderate tempo. He improved between runners approaching the home turn (tracking up well behind Trip To Paris). He switched out at the 300m, hit the front at the 150m and went on to win well in the sprint home.
Max Dynamite had a good trip from barrier two, settling well in seventh place on the rails. He was behind a packing field rounding the home turn, suddenly switched deep into clear running at the 250m and then put in a strong run to challenge at the 75m and then fought gamely for a very good second.
Criterion had a nice trip from his good barrier (4) racing in fifth place one the rails. He got a split to challenge at the 200m and then fought well under his weight (57.5kg) for a good third.
Trip To Paris travelled well in sixth place, one off the rails. He improved nicely from the 600m, looked a threat when he challenged at the 300m and kept battling well for a good (2.1 lengths) fourth.
Big Orange went to the front and set a steady tempo, only lifting the pace from the 600m. He was headed coming to the 200m and then battled on quite well for (2.5 lengths) fifth.
Gust Of Wind went back from her wide barrier (19) and raced towards the tail of the field until nearing the home turn. She got between runners on straightening, switched out into clear running at the 300m and made ground in the sprint home for a very good (2.7 lengths) sixth, her barrier proving costly.
Excess Knowledge went forward from his outside barrier (24) and settled outside the leader (Big Orange). He briefly got to the front at the 300m and held on quite well for a good (3.2 lengths) seventh.
Of the others: Our Ivanhowe was ninth on the rails, was hindered when looking for an inside run in the straight before finishing (4 lengths) tenth. Favourite Fame Game was again ridden quietly and settled a distant 19th. He tracked up (wide with cover) rounding the home turn, fanned very deep in the straight but failed to make ground in the sprint home to finish (5.7 lengths) 13th . Preferment was near last to the home turn, was improving on straightening but was badly checked at the 300m before finishing (14 lengths) 20th while top weight (58kg) Snow Sky was handy all the way, challenged at the 300m and was battling on quite well prior to being checked and was eased to finish last and Red Cadeaux was midfield on the rails until into the home straight but faulted and was eased down, failing to finish, having broken down.
