Gold Trip has powered home to win the Melbourne Cup by two lengths, holding off the likes of Emissary and the Geelong Cup winner High Emocean.
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained French stallion flew past the pre-race favourite Deauville Legend down the home straight and held on for just his second career win.
Gold Trip wins the Melbourne Cup for second career victory
It proved to be a redemption story for jockey Mark Zahra, who missed out on a ride with last year's winner Verry Elleegant after a Covid rule-breaking controversy.
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Zahra timed his sprint to the finish perfectly with the top weight Gold Trip proving too good, racking up $4.4 million in prize money for its connections.
Serpentine led the pack halfway through the race, setting a quick pace with Tralee Rose not too far off the front. As the horses came into the final 1000m, Knights Order kicked and went early but it was instantly reeled in by Deauville Legend.
However, the pre-race favourite couldn't match the power on display from Gold Trip which split the field and held off the late challenge from High Emocean which charged all the way from the back of the pack.
The 'race that stops a nation': 2022 edition.@Lexus #MelbourneCup #MelbCupCarnival pic.twitter.com/wgFGp2urAb
— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) November 1, 2022
Melbourne Cup 2022 finishing order
| Position | Horse |
| 1. | Gold Trip |
| 2. | Emissary |
| 3. | High Emocean |
| 4. | Deauville Legend |
| 5. | Realm Of Flowers |
| 6. | Daqiansweet Junior |
| 7. | Smokin’ Romans |
| 8. | Stockman |
| 9. | Knights Order |
| 10. | Vow And Declare |
| 11. | Arapaho |
| 12. | Hoo Ya Mal |
| 13. | Without A Fight |
| 14. | Grand Promenade |
| 15. | Young Werther |
| 16. | Montefila |
| 17. | Tralee Rose |
| 18. | Duais |
| 19. | Numerian |
| 20. | Serpentine |
| 21. | Camorra |
| DNF | Interpretation |