Melbourne Cup Review: What The Jockeys Said

The Melbourne Cup produced another great finish but it was a 10/10 ride by Craig Williams that gave Vow And Declare the Melbourne Cup and in doing so completed a grand slam for the star hoop.

Craig Williams (Vow And Declare – 1st)

Danny O’Brien has got a fantastic story with him. It was a privilege to ride him today. We had a difficult barrier draw. It has been great to be associated with a great horse like this horse. I rode him on debut, James Winks won his maiden at Warrnambool 12 months ago and he progressed. I can’t do this without him (Vow And Declare). Look at him, he knows he won and again, I’m so grateful to be given the opportunity.

Michael Walker (Prince Of Arran – 2nd)

Charlie and the team have done a great job. I love the horse and I just wanted to win it, you know.

Wayne Lordan (Il Paradiso – 3rd)

Would’ve done with jumping a bit quicker. Didn’t get an ideal position but ran well.

Frankie Dettori (Master Of Reality – 4th)

I want to cry.

Jordan Childs (Surprise Baby – 5th)

He ran super. Just had nothing taking me into the race at the 800 but he’ll be back bigger and better next year.

Damian Lane (Mer De Glace – 6th)

Massive. He wasn’t entitled to finish off like he did after the slow tempo. Finished well late

Kerrin McEvoy (Finche – 7th)

He ran great. The pace wasn’t that strong. Would’ve like them to go a bit quicker. But we presented at the top of the lane and thought he was a real chance there at the 300. He then just leveled out the last little bit. A brave run.

William Buick (Cross Counter – 8th)

He ran a huge race.

Brett Prebble (Steel Prince – 9th)

Ran super. They didn’t go a gallop. He was in a nice position but he wouldn’t switch the chewy off and it just took its toll late.

Ryan Moore (Magic Wand – 10th)

I wouldn’t say she is a natural two miler. It was a messy, messy race.

Hugh Bowman (Twilight Payment – 11th)

He had a really smooth run in transit. Just didn’t have the sprint required to win a Melbourne Cup.

James Winks (Sound – 12th)

Tempo was ridiculous. He ran really well.

 Joao Moreira (Constantinople – 13th)

Disappointing, yes. He was going to have a super run.

Ben Melham (Mirage Dancer – 14th)

He ran well. Probably didn’t quite see out the last part of the race.

Seamie Heffernan (Hunting Horn – 15th)

I needed to get cover and I couldn’t. The pace was too slow.

Jamie Spencer (Raymond Tusk – 16th)

Beautiful position but the race was too slow.

Tim Clark (The Chosen One – 17th)

He went alright. From that draw I had to get a long way back and the pace was no good for him. But he stayed on well.

James McDonald (Latrobe – 18th)

Just got back in a slowly run race. Hard to get into it.

Mark Zahra (Southern France – 19th)

Had a tough run. Probably didn’t stay.

Tommy Berry (Youngstar – 20th)

Speed of the race didn’t help him.

Luke Nolen (Neufbosc – 21st)

They went too steady for me. I went back from the gate. Next time.

John Allen (Downdraft – 22nd)

Slowly run race mightn’t have suited him. Only I didn’t think that he ran out the trip.

Damien Oliver (Mustajeer – 23rd)

They just went ridiculously slow and it didn’t suit my horse. Probably didn’t get a chance to run to his best.

Dwayne Dunn (Rostropovich – 24th)

He hasn’t pulled up too well.