Jockey Mark Zahra won the Melbourne Cup for a second successive year on board the Australian-trainer Without A Fight.
Having opted to ditch Gold Trip, on whom he was victorious 12 months ago in “the race that stops a nation”, his mount became the first Caulfield Cup-Melbourne Cup double in 22 years.
Zahra castigated himself for being an “idiot” as he celebrated in the immediate aftermath with a two-fingered salute to the crowd at Flemington Racecourse.
The Willie Mullins-trained Vauban, the pre-race favourite, was easily reeled in by Without a Fight to take the win ahead of Soulcombe. Third place went to Sheraz.
Joseph O’Brien’s entry, Okita Soushi, finished well outside contention in 11th while Hollie Doyle’s hopes of emulating Michelle Payne’s victory in 2015 never looked likely as she ended up 15th on board Future History.
The result marked a first win in the prestigious race for father-and-son trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman.
Following his victory, Zahra said it had been a tough choice in selecting between two mounts, a decision which was ultimately exonerated as Gold Trip finished 17th.
Afterwards, he said: “A good friend and someone I rate as one of the best judges in Australia, I spoke to him, and he said there’s not much between them but, if you can get him to settle, he will run it. He’s got electric turn of foot and he pulled me all the way to the line.
“The stars aligned for Gold Trip last year and aligned for this horse this year. Giving the two fingers, though, for two winners. I don’t know what I was thinking. Idiot.”
