Picture: Bruno Cannatelli
Irishman Robbie Dolan lands the largest prize of all in beautiful Melbourne Cup upset
A as soon as part-time jockey who flirted with a profession as a musician added his identify to the Melbourne Cup honour roll when he engineered one of many nice upsets within the historical past of the nice race.
Eire’s Robbie Dolan partnered betting websites $91 likelihood Knight’s Option to an exhilarating win within the $8.5 million Group 1 at Flemington on Tuesday.
Dolan got here to Australia in 2016 in quest of higher alternatives and skilled nice success with Profondo and Shelby Sixtysix, who received Group 1 races in 2021 and 2022, earlier than placing nationwide recognition trough expertise present The Voice.
Dolan’s earlier largest second on the large stage in Victoria was singing ‘Horses’ on the 2022 Cox Plate, however he put that to disgrace together with his Melbourne Cup win.
“Properly, pinch me, I feel I’m dreaming,” he mentioned.
“I can’t even put it into phrases. That is the largest race on the planet, and to win it’s simply unbelievable.
“I’ve by no means ridden this race earlier than, so I didn’t know what to anticipate, however I really feel like I’ve ridden it 10 occasions as a result of I’ve run the race over in my head earlier than I acquired right here.
“It panned out precisely as I assumed it might.”
Dolan received the race in entrance of his accomplice Christine and younger daughter Maisie, alongside together with his father Bobby who spent many years working for two-time Melbourne Cup-winning coach Dermot Weld in Eire.
The 28-year-old turned in a journey for the ages to get the John Symons and Sheila Laxon-trained gelding dwelling.
Knight’s Selection, a son of Newgate stallion Excessive Selection, settled in direction of the rear however began to enhance in direction of the within when a lot of main possibilities who had been additionally again within the second half of the sector made their transfer out broad from the 500m.
The five-year-old surged alongside eventual runner-up Warp Pace over the ultimate 300m and hit the road a half-head clear that Japanese galloper, a $26 likelihood who was ridden by Akira Sugawara.
Finishing a longshot trifecta, three-quarters-of-a-length away, was Jamie Kah’s mount Okita Soushi ($19).
“I assumed I’d be a pair nearer, however they went fast, so I simply rode him for luck as a result of I do know he’s acquired a very good flip of foot,” Dolan mentioned.
“As soon as my horse noticed the hole and he type of modified leads, he simply picked up on me.
“As soon as I pulled the stick by way of, he discovered one other gear once more.
“He’s solely a small little horse, however he offers his all each begin, and that’s half the battle with him.
“I feel and he’s proved lots of people fallacious.”
Dolan turned the second Irishman to win the Melbourne Cup, 31 years after Michael Kinane received aboard the Weld-trained Classic Crop.
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