Maher makes history with Melbourne Cup trifecta
Ciaron Maher has become the first trainer to prepare the first three finishers in a Melbourne Cup, with Point Of Law, Zahrann and Juja Kibo filling the placings in Tuesday's $10.2 million feature.
Ridden by Ethan Brown, $7 favourite Point Of Law raced away to win by 3¾ lengths from Zahrann (26), with Juja Kibo (14) a short-head away in third.
Maher saddled seven runners, with Royal Supremacy finishing fifth, Shockletz sixth, Middle Earth tenth and Mr Monaco 17th. The trifecta returned $2,644.50 for a $1 investment.
Point Of Law was secured from His Majesty The King by Maher's racing manager Will Bourne for Australian clients. The lightly raced colt qualified for the Melbourne Cup by winning the Geelong Cup on his Australian debut and has now claimed the country's biggest race at just his sixth career start.
Biggest Melbourne Cup crowd in a decade
A crowd of 97,112 attended Flemington for Tuesday's Melbourne Cup, the largest Cup Day attendance since 2016.
Melbourne Cup runners' veterinary update
Knight's Choice pulled up with mild heat stress following the Melbourne Cup but recovered quickly.
Wine Dark Sea was found to have a throat condition and mild lameness.
All other runners were reported to have pulled up satisfactorily.
Hellsing wins dramatic $3 million Big Dance
Hellsing has been awarded the $3 million Big Dance at Randwick following a dramatic stewards' protest.
The Rob and Annabel Archibald-trained galloper initially finished second behind stablemate Formal Display, but the result changed following an objection lodged by Nash Rawiller, who rode fourth-placed Gringotts.
Rawiller alleged interference from Formal Display between the 600m and 500m, with the stewards' decision ultimately changing the result and handing Hellsing the victory.
Ranarsson remains unbeaten
Ranarsson made it three wins from three starts with a determined victory in the Listed Crown Amanda Elliott at Flemington.
The Lindsay Park-trained colt started the $1.95 favourite and fought hard to defeat Barracks by a short neck, with Harry Line third.
The Sandown Guineas is among the options for his next start, although connections are yet to make a final decision.
Chris Waller fined $50,000 over Asterix scratching
Champion trainer Chris Waller has been fined $50,000 following the withdrawal of Asterix from Tuesday's Melbourne Cup.
Racing Victoria stewards scratched Asterix at 10:33am after determining that Waller had negligently caused Penetrene to be applied to the horse's forelegs on race morning, resulting in a breach of the Australian Rules of Racing.
Waller pleaded guilty to the negligence charge, with stewards imposing the fine following an inquiry.
Amelia's Affair impresses on debut
Amelia's Affair made an impressive start to her racing career with a 2¾-length victory in the Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate at Flemington.
The Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained filly showed good early speed under Damian Lane before drawing clear of Royal Press, with La La Lilly third.
Connections will now decide whether to target the Magic Millions or spell the filly ahead of the autumn and a possible Golden Slipper campaign.
Shadhavar puts Orr Stakes on the agenda
Shadhavar continued her strong preparation with a 4¼-length victory in the Group 3 Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes at Flemington.
The Tom Dabernig-trained mare started the $2.70 favourite and comfortably defeated Tomato Toastie, with Gold Medallist third.
Dabernig confirmed the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes is already being considered as an autumn target for the progressive five-year-old.
Benny Scarf lands six-figure Melbourne Cup win
Racing influencer Benny Scarf had plenty to celebrate after Point Of Law's Melbourne Cup victory landed him a win of more than $100,000.
Benny had backed the horse at Monday's Call of the Card, with the result delivering a memorable Cup Day payday.
The celebrations were captured on video following the race.
Editorial at The Daily Punt, covering Australian racing and sport with an eye for where the value sits.
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