GERMANY’S PROTECTIONIST WON won Australia’s biggest race, the €4.3m Melbourne Cup, on Tuesday but the event was marred by tragedy when Japanese favourite Admire Rakti died after coming last.
Protectionist, starting at 7-1 and beautifully ridden by English jockey Ryan Moore, beat England’s Red Cadeaux (20-1) by four lengths, with New Zealand’s Who Shot Thebarman (20-1) another half-length away in third.
But there was sadness in the immediate aftermath. The well-supported Admire Rakti collapsed and died in his stall upon returning from the track.
“Our vets are on hand and the horse will undergo an autopsy,” said chief race steward Terry Bailey.
“Obviously we’ll have to await those results to find out the cause of the death.”
Admire Rakti’s death shocked Flemington as news of it emerged following Protectionist’s outstanding victory to become the sixth internationally-trained winner of Australia’s iconic race.
The Japanese topweight in the race had been well supported after a storming victory in the Caulfield Cup last month, and was up with the lead for most of the two-mile event.
But as the seven-year-old galloper rounded the final bend he was noticeably under pressure.
Jockey Zac Purton furiously tried to maintain his position, only to drop back sharply through the field to finish 25 lengths behind the second-last horse.
“He travelled well for me the whole way but when the pressure come on he folded pretty quick,” Purton said.
Protectionist was Germany’s first success in the race and a first for trainer Andreas Wohler.
Moore skilfully manoeuvred Protectionist into the clear about 200 metres from home and the five-year-old charged to the line for an easy victory in the 104th Melbourne Cup.
“He’s won very easily, a very good horse,” said a delighted Moore.
“Obviously, it’s very special to win.”
Wohler was also jubilant. “We’ve had great success all over the world but that’s the biggest of all,” he said.
“He (Moore) was so patient. When he came around the last bend I said he just needs to have the right gap and he found it… Ryan is a superstar.
“It’s unbelievable. It’s a moment you won’t forget in your life. It’s a big achievement from our team.”
