Media Puzzle's win in the 2002 Melbourne Cup captured Australian hearts Damien Oliver wins the 2002 Melbourne Cup on Media Puzzle. MEDIA Puzzle's shock Melbourne Cup victory in 2002 was one of the great race's defining moments. It was a rare moment when Australians applauded an international winner who had clearly over-achieved. Media Puzzle had captured the hearts of the nation. A rung below his favoured Irish stablemate Vinnie Roe, Media Puzzle was an outside chance to win the Cup. Iconic moments that shaped the Melbourne Cup Vinnie Roe was the overwhelming favourite before flying in to Melbourne, boasting a five-race winning streak. Vinnie Roe won the Irish St Leger and finished a close second in the Ascot Gold Cup in 2002. Media Puzzle's record was less esteemed - just an Ulster Derby handicap race win. Your essential Cup formguide The razor-sharp Dermot Weld trained Vinnie Roe and Media Puzzle. Weld is the Irishman who guided the first overseas-trained horse - Vintage Crop in 1993 - to a Melbourne Cup victory. Media Puzzle wins the 2002 Melbourne Cup, with Damien Oliver aboard. Battling tough quarantine conditions, Vintage Crop went on to boldly secure what was then a previously unaccomplished feat - flying in from Ireland just weeks before the Cup and winning. With Irish jockey Mick Kinane in the saddle, it was a win that sparked a flood of overseas competitors, who were no longer intimidated by the long journey to Australia. Following Vinnie Roe's incredible form in his homeland, Weld said: "Vinnie Roe is the best horse I've had since Vintage Crop ... hopefully (it will) lead us to the Melbourne Cup." However, Weld's second Melbourne Cup success had a poignant local tie. Australian jockey Damien Oliver, who had previously won the Cup on Doriemus in 1995, was given Media Puzzle's reins just before the Geelong Cup - a Group 3 race The Irish raider broke the course record in the Geelong Cup, clocking 2:25.90 over 2400m. Oliver described the Irish raider's Geelong victory "as good as any Cup trial I've ridden for a long time." And the scene was set for a memorable showdown between the finest Irish racehorses at Flemington. Damien Oliver pays tribute to his late brother as he wins the 2002 Melbourne Cup on Irish horse Media Puzzle. Media Puzzle's status as an outsider was confirmed, as he was hit with a 51kg handicap compared with Vinnie Roe's 59kg. The tragic death of Oliver's brother, Jason, after a training accident in Perth threatened to dampen Media Puzzle's Cup hopes. Oliver was determined to honour his Cup ride. Bets flowed, in the wake of the tragedy as well as Media Puzzle's impressive form in Geelong. Meanwhile, concern was mounting over Vinnie Roe, as his weight dropped dramatically. He failed to reach his peak form for a tilt at the Cup. In a race that fielded a record eight internationals, Media Puzzle rode the wide line before duelling with Vinnie Roe at the home turn. Media Puzzle emphatically strode to the finishing post, as Oliver looked to the heavens and held his riding crop sky high. "To my brother Jason: I know you are up there, mate," Oliver said on the winner's dais. I couldn't have done it without you, buddy. This one's for you. Media Puzzle's victory delivered Weld his second Melbourne Cup. "It is one of the special moments of my life, to see my two horses fighting it out to the finish," Weld said. Now he's won the Melbourne Cup, I think he's done his job. Media Puzzle and Oliver's success was proof the Cup was truly internationalised. This emotional underdog tale truly stopped the nation. Monash University journalism students have joined forces with the Herald Sun digital team to create this collaborative project.