Verry Elleegant storms to 2021 Melbourne Cup victory

Now a 10-time group 1 champion, Verry Elleegant, an $18 chance carrying 57 kilograms, sprinted clear in the final 300m to beat short-priced favourite Incentivise, which raced in second spot before taking over at the top of the straight.

Read more: Photos from Melbourne Cup celebrations in Newcastle

It gave the all-conquering Kiwi-born NSW combination of trainer Chris Waller and jockey James McDonald their first Melbourne Cup success. Last month they claimed the $15 million Everest at Randwick with Nature Strip.

Spanish Mission, which was in doubt with injury leading up to the race, was third.

Earlier on the program, Scone galloper Fender was four-lengths fourth in the fifth race, a benchmark 90 handicap over 1400m.

The Brett Cavanough-prepared Fender, a $23 chance, was the only Hunter-trained runner racing at Flemington.

It was a memorable day for former NSW jockey Blaike McDougall, who rode back-to-back winners early on the card.

McDougall, once a regular on Hunter tracks, relocated to Victoria in September. He took Team Captain and Excelman to victories in races two and three respectively.

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