Lucky punters could have won more than $1 million by betting a single dollar on the 164th edition of the race that stops a nation, won by rank outsider Knight’s Choice in a photo finish.
An 80-1 shot, Knight’s Choice prevailed by a nose for trainers John Symons and Sheila Laxon from Japanese raider Warp Speed on Tuesday at Flemington.
The Ciaron Maher-trained Okita Soushi was third, with global racing giant Godolphin’s Zardozi fourth.
There were some enormous dividends to be had – especially for those who picked the top four.
Australian sports betting agency UBET were paying $1,054,972.90 for first four, with NSWTAB paying $870,448.60 and SuperTab paying $728,015.70.
For a trifecta UBET was paying $28,491.70, with NSWTAB paying $22,576.80 and SuperTab paying $22,576.80.
Knight’s Choice is the longest-priced winner of the big race since Prinze of Penzance in 2015.
Australian sports betting agency UBET was paying $1,054,972.90 for those who picked the first four across the line
The Melbourne Cup was won by rank outsider Knight’s Choice in a thrilling finish
Irish jockey Robbie Dolan produced what 2021 Cup-winning jockey James McDonald described as ‘one of the best rides I’ve ever seen’ in Australia’s greatest race.
‘I didn’t know what to expect, but I feel like I’ve ridden it 10 times because I have ridden it in my head 100 times,’ 28-year-old Dolan told broadcaster Nine post-race.
‘To win it with him (father Bobby) here and my little daughter Maisy and my partner Christine, I’m going to cry again. Jesus Christ.
‘Look, you can’t do it without (trainers) Sheila and John. They were so confident in this horse even before he got to this race.
‘A lot of people doubted them. And to be honest, I didn’t.’
Jockey Robbie Dolan kissed the trophy after winning the 2024 Melbourne Cup on Knight’s Choice
It gave Symons and Laxon their first Cup triumph in partnership, after Laxon became the first female to train the winner with Ethereal in 2001.
‘What a great ride by Robbie,’ Symons told Nine.
‘He stayed in, took the risk, went through the pack.
‘I was worried and he got further back than we’d talked about, but great ride.
‘What a thrill.’
Daily Mail Australia has you covered with the final finishing order and form of every horse and rider in the Melbourne Cup and how they performed at the 2024 event.
Winner: Knight’s Choice
Defied all of the so-called experts and odds that bloated out to as high as 81-1 to storm home down the infamous Flemington straight and bust its way to the lead. Robbie Dolan put in the ride of his life to claim just his third Group 1 win.
2: Warp Speed
The Japanese rider engaged in a duel with Okita Soushi that looked like it was going to determine the winner of the Cup, only to be rudely pipped by Knight’s Choice with the line in sight.
3: Okita Soushi
Found the perfect line down the straight and kicked clear, looking certain to win. But the extra length of the Melbourne Cup sapped its speed and it slipped back to duel with Warp Speed before also being overshone by Knight’s Choice.
4: Zardozi
Sometimes winning isn’t everything. Jockey Andrea Atzeni produced almost the perfect ride and the horse was given every opportunity across the 3200m. Gave it everything and a top four finish was the reward.
5: Absurde
Kerrin McEvoy looked primed for a big run to the finish line only to ram right into the back of Zardozii, robbing his steed of any momentum and chance of a top three finish
6: Circle of Fire
Another horse that produced a huge run after doubts circled around its ability to compete over the distance. The Sydney Cup winner will take a lot out getting up to the front of the pack in the gruelling final 800 metres.
7: Fancy Man
Another roughie that finished much higher than most people gave it credit for.
8: Land Legend
There is no question this horse can race, but keeping it focused remains a problem for Chris Waller. They tried ear muffs to keep this skittish horse on track but could not extract the performance they wanted.
9: Buckaroo
Was smashed into favouritism by punters but came into the Cup with a well-documented issue – it had never won at this distance before. The risk did not pay off.
10: Kovalica
Missed the start and never recovered
11: Vauban
Another one to add to the favourite’s scrapheap at the Melbourne Cup. After finishing 13th as favourite in 2023, the Vauban experiment might be over now.
12: Onesmoothoperator
Late money smashed Onesmoothoperator into second favourite but it not deliver across the distance. Vets found a cut on its right heel last week and it required a second vet check to be passed fit to race. It is not yet clear if that was an issue here.
13: Valiant King
14: Sea King
15: Interpretation
16: Sharp ‘N’ Smart
17: Trust In You
18: Mostly Cloudy
19: Manzoice
20: Positivity
21: The Map
22: Saint George
23: Just Fine