In a stirring ride down the home straight as the rain began to fall at Flemington Racecourse, the injury-prone gelding broke clear of Irish raider Heartbreak City, ridden by Brazilian Joao Moreira, with just metres to run in a thrilling finish, watched by 97,479, to give owner Lloyd Williams his fifth Melbourne Cup victory. McEvoy won his previous Melbourne Cup on Brew in 2000, giving him the mark for longest gap between Cup titles for a jockey. It gave local businessman Lloyd Williams a record fifth Melbourne Cup as an owner and jockey Kerrin McEvoy his second trumph after his win on Brew in 2000. He won in October there and got into the race and he just gave him a nice freshen up and typical of Lloyd, he knows what to do with these races. He’s got this result today.”

Almandin’s career has been chequered with injuries and before Tuesday he had been limited to just 11 starts. After Michelle Payne’s triumph 12 months ago, the 2016 edition of the famous race had a lot to live up to yet it did not disappoint as Almandin, piloted by Kerrin McEvoy, galloped to victory in one of the closest finishes in the Cup’s 156-year history. “This horse had a tendon and he was broken down, so I’m quite emotional about this one,” he said, adding that trainer Robert Hickmott and the racing team “have done a fabulous job getting this horse back.”

Hickmott “has been with me for probably 15 years now. The Newmarket handler told www.godolphin.com: “Qewy’s gone and run the race of his life. Roared on by a festive crowd of more than 100,000 people, Almandin emerged at the final turn to haul in Heartbreak City by a neck at the end of the grueling two-mile handicap.
In thoroughbred horse racing, Almandin, ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, trained by Robert Hickmott and owned by five-time winner Lloyd Williams, wins the 156th Melbourne Cup.