Diva Divine In Melbourne

Makybe Diva carved her name into the annals of Australian racing history by claiming a remarkable third consecutive Emirates Melbourne Cup at Flemington yesterday.

In a race where the European raiders were out of luck, Lee Freedman´s brilliant mare swept to a decisive victory to become the first horse to win the two-mile feature for a third time.

The seven-year-old was always travelling well towards the rear before gradually edging closer to the pace on the home bend.

Despite his modest draw, jockey Glen Boss produced a masterclass in riding to get his partner on the rail in the early exchanges and was handily placed thereafter.

Mr Celebrity took the field along at a moderate pace, but Freedman´s charge could have been called the winner as soon as they turned for home.

A couple of reminders two furlongs from home had the desired effect as Makybe Diva slalomed past the winning post to send a fervent Australian crowd of nearly 140,000 delirious.

On A Jeune came with a blistering late run but could never get close to the winner, who prevailed by a length and a quarter.

New Zealand raider Xcellent also put up a fine display to land third place, a further length in arrears.

Dermot Weld´s Vinnie Roe could never get competitive but stayed on for eighth position.

Sir Michael Stoute´s Distinction, who finished in 19th place, looked prime for a late surge but ran out of gas when it mattered and failed to land a serious blow.

The Mark Tompkins-trained Franklins Gardens was never travelling well and had to be pulled up at the line, trailing home last.

Freedman was understandably in jubilant mood and branded Makybe Diva´s heroics as one of the defining moments in Australian racing history.

'Children are the only people here to live long enough to see something like this again,' he said.

'Glen was brilliant. He was always covering the leaders.

'I´ve said along I thought she could do it.

'She´s a great, great horse.'

(C) PA Sport