French raider Americain has taken out the 150th running of the Melbourne Cup.
The six-year-old, trained by Alain De Royer-Dupre but owned by Australian interests, was a last-start winner of the Geelong Cup on October 20.
He followed the same path to Melbourne Cup glory as Media Puzzle in 2002. Americain, ridden by champion French horseman Gerald Mosse, beat Maluckyday and the favourite So You Think.
"This job is so easy when you're in the best race on the best horse," Mosse said.
"A big thanks to the owner who gave me the confidence to be the first French jockey to win the Melbourne Cup."
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So You Think took a time to settle but worked his way steadily towards the lead and loomed up into a winning position about 300 metres out.
However, he could not match Americain's turn of foot, but managed to hang on for the minor placing behind the lightweight Maluckyday.
Mosse knew Americain had the Bart Cummings-trained favourite covered.
"He was very, very strong over the last 250 metres and I knew I was going to catch him."
Part owner Gerry Ryan said Americain's win was a dream come true for him and fellow owner Kevin Bamford.
"Five years ago we planned this," Ryan said.
"This is what I've dreamed of ever since I was a kid. I was very relaxed because everything was out of my control."
It was trainer De Royer-Dupre's first Melbourne Cup campaign.
"Before it looked a difficult challenge to be competitive in this great race, but I was very confident, he's a really good horse."
Americain($13) won by 2-3/4 lengths from Maluckyday ($9) with half a length to the $3 favourite So You Think. Zipping ($26) came fourth in the race for the third time.
Zavite finished last, and Caulfield Cup winner Descarado failed to finish.
