Vinnie Roe second in Melbourne Cup.

Trainer Dermot Weld failed narrowly to win his third Melbourne Cup when his Vinnie Roe finished second in Australia´s biggest race, with Makybe Diva recording back-to-back successes at Flemington Park on Tuesday night.

Makybe Diva, a seven-year-old mare, put up an impressive performance to beat Vinnie Roe and make Melbourne Cup history by becoming the first of her sex to register successive wins in the two-mile race.

Vinnie Roe, the four times Irish St Leger winner, failed by one-and-a-quarter lengths to peg back Makybe Diva (13/5 favourite) with 100-1 outsider Zazzman a further two and a half lengths away in third.

Weld later reported 'Vinnie Roe ran superbly and Pat Smullen rode him superbly but the weight just told at the end. It was certainly no disgrace to be beaten by Makybe Diva, who is obviously a world-class staying mare.'

Weld´s other runner, the 2002 winner Media Puzzle, could finish only 12th with jockey Damien Oliver explaining 'he just wasn´t comfortable in the going.'

The British-trained raiders failed to make any impact with Sir Michael Stoute´s Distinction faring best in sixth place.

Meanwhile, winning trainer Lee Freedman is now eyeing a crack at next year´s Prix de l´Arc de Triomphe with Makybe Diva.

'She´s proven herself to be one of the greatest mares to ever race in Australia. She´s certainly the best staying mare ever.'