Shocking upset denies Cups King
03/11/09 09:19 PM
Shocking has dashed a star-studded field to win the 2009 Melbourne Cup (3,200 metres) at Flemington.

Defying the favouritism shown to three Bart Cummings mounts and popular rookie Alcopop, the Mark Kavanagh-trained Shocking finished ahead of international stayers Crime Scene and Mourilyan.

"He was so good on Saturday and he improved, he improved since that run and his preparation was timed to perfection," Kavanagh told Channel Seven.

"He was travelling and I just looked at it and thought 'he just can't keep going'.

"I didn't expect to win it, I didn't plan to think what I thought, I don't know, it hasn't sunk in I'm sorry."

Ridden by Corey Brown, who mounted 2008 runner-up Bauer, Shocking sprinted away to beat Crime Scene by a length down the final stretch after emerging from three deep without cover.

"Terrific job for Mark, the horse, like I said I'm speechless, I just won the Cup," Brown said.

"In the back of my mind I didn't think I could win but once I got to about the 300 I thought I was a winner.

"I wish everyone could experience the feeling that I'm having right now 'cause it's just unbelievable."

Shocking's win denied the legendary Cummings a 13th Melbourne Cup triumph, and the chance to become the third trainer to win the fabled Spring Racing Carnival treble.

Cummings presided over wins in the Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate.

Irish charge Master O'Reilly again finished fourth while Harris Tweed came in fifth.

Late favourite Alcopop finished sixth ahead of Viewed in seventh, while Roman Emperor bombed to 21st.

Warringah finished last, despite leading the field ahead of Roman Emperor by a length-and-a-half at the halfway mark.

The last Cup winner to wear 21 was Bitalli in 1923, which means that Shocking has broken the longest drought for a number in Melbourne Cup history (86 years).Finishing order

1. Shocking
2. Crime Scene
3. Mourilyan

4. Master O'Reilly
5. Harris Tweed
6. Alcopop
7. Viewed
8. C'est La Guerre
9. Kibbutz
10. Newport
11. Daffodil
12. Munsef
13. Gallions Reach
14. Leica Ding
15. Ista Kareem
16. Allez Wonder
17. Capecover
18. Basaltico
19. Zavite
20. Spin Around
21. Roman Emperor
22. Fiumicino
23. Warringah

Scratched: Changingoftheguard

Source: ABC