Lucky bettors could have won more than $1 million by betting a single dollar on the 164th running of the race to stop a nation, won by Knight’s Choice in a photo finish.
With an 80-1 chance, Knight’s Choice took a one-goal victory over coaches John Symons and Sheila Laxon of Japanese raider Warp Speed on Tuesday in Flemington.
Okita Soushi, trained by Ciaron Maher, was third, and Zardozi, from global racing giant Godolphin, fourth.
Huge dividends were reaped, especially for those who picked in the top four.
Australian sports betting agency UBET paid $1,054,972.90 for the top four, NSWTAB paid $870,448.60 and SuperTab paid $728,015.70.
For a trifecta, UBET paid $28,491.70, NSWTAB paid $22,576.80 and SuperTab paid $22,576.80.
Knight’s Choice is the highest-priced winner of the big race since Prinze of Penzance in 2015.
The Australian sports betting agency UBET paid $1,054,972.90 to those who chose the first four in the line.
Melbourne Cup won by Knight’s Choice in thrilling finish
Irish jockey Robbie Dolan produced what 2021 Cup-winning jockey James McDonald described as “one of the best races I’ve ever seen” in Australia’s biggest race.
“I didn’t know what to expect, but I feel like I’ve ridden it 10 times because I’ve ridden it in my head 100 times,” Dolan, 28, told broadcaster Nine after the 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 (coaches) Sheila and John. They had so much confidence in this horse before he even came to this race.
“A lot of people doubted them. And to be honest, I didn’t.
Jockey Robbie Dolan kisses the trophy after winning the 2024 Melbourne Cup at Knight’s Choice
It gave Symons and Laxon their first Cup win as a partnership, after Laxon became the first woman to train the winner with Ethereal in 2001.
“What a great journey Robbie has had,” Symons told Nine.
He stayed, took a chance, and checked out the herd.
“I was worried and he was further behind than we had talked about, but it was a great trip.
“What a thrill.”
Daily Mail Australia has you covered with the final order and form of each horse and rider in the Melbourne Cup and how they performed in the 2024 event.
Winner: Knight’s Choice
He defied all the so-called experts and the odds that rose to 81-1 to return home down the infamous Flemington straight and claw his way into the lead. Robbie Dolan had the ride of a lifetime to claim just his third Group 1 victory.
2: warp speed
The Japanese rider engaged in a duel with Okita Soushi that looked like it would determine the winner of the Cup, only to be abruptly overtaken by Knight’s Choice with the line in sight.
3: Okita Soushi
He found the perfect line on the straightaway and took off, looking confident to win. But the extra length of the Melbourne Cup sapped his speed and he once again dueled Warp Speed before also being eclipsed by Knight’s Choice.
4: Zardozi
Sometimes winning isn’t everything. Rider Andrea Atzeni had a near-perfect ride and the horse had every opportunity throughout the 3200m. I gave it my all and finishing in the top four was the reward.
5: Absurd
Kerrin McEvoy looked set for a great run to the finish line only to crash straight into the back of Zardozii, robbing her steed of any momentum and chance of a top three finish.
6: Circle of fire
Another horse that had a great race after doubts swirled around his ability to compete over the distance. The Sydney Cup winner will have to work hard to get to the front of the pack in the grueling final 800 metres.
7: elegant man
Another heel who finished much higher than most people believed.
8: Legend of the land
There’s no doubt this horse can run, but keeping him focused remains a problem for Chris Waller. They tried ear muffs to keep this skittish horse on the trail, but couldn’t get the performance they wanted.
9: Buckaroo
He was crushed by bettors’ favoritism, but came into the Cup with a well-documented problem: He had never won at this distance before. The risk did not pay off.
10: Koválica
He missed the start and never recovered.
11: Vauban
Another one to add to the pile of favorites in the Melbourne Cup. After finishing 13th as the favorite in 2023, Vauban’s experiment could be over.
12: A smooth operator
Late money put Onesmoothoperator as second favourite, but he failed to deliver over the distance. Veterinarians found a cut on his right heel last week and a second vet check was necessary before he could compete. It’s still unclear if that was a problem here.
13: Brave King
14: King of the Sea
15: Interpretation
16: Sharp ‘N’ Smart
17: Trust yourself
18: Mostly cloudy
19: Manzoice
20: Positivity
21: The map
22: Saint George
23: Very good