Shocking, the mount of Corey Brown, came with a late run to deny Godolphin their first Emirates Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse on Tuesday.
Crime Scene, with Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle, set sail for home but could not hold off the fast finishing Shocking, a four-year-old son of Street Cry, with the Dubai-based team having to settle for the runners-up position once again.
Gary Chapman, President Group Services & Dnata, Emirates Group, together with Miss Zara Phillips, Emirates’ International Guest, presented winning jockey Corey Brown, owner Eales Racing and trainer Mark Kavanagh with the 2009 Emirates Melbourne Cup trophy.
Miss Phillips, who was an exclusive guest of Emirates and the Victoria Racing Club, said: “The Emirates Melbourne Cup is one of the most exciting and prestigious races in the world. I am delighted to join Emirates and the Victoria Racing Club for the celebration that stops a nation. I have a personal passion for horses and am so pleased to join Australians on their big racing day
“After an action-packed day at the Emirates Marquee, I am looking forward to relaxing as a guest of Emirates at Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa.”
Gary Chapman said: “Once again, the first Tuesday in November has produced a truly memorable Emirates Melbourne Cup. This classic race is one of champions, and another rose again today.
“Emirates has a proud history of supporting the very best sporting action wherever we fly across the world. The drama and emotion of sporting events like the Emirates Melbourne Cup drives a passion for excellence as seen today. As an airline we hold to the same values and a determination to exceed expectations.”
The Emirates marquee, in the famed social hotspot of the Birdcage, was alive with the vibrant colours, cosmopolitan culture and the rich heritage of India.
Guests included Royal and accomplished equestrian Miss Zara Phillips, pop star Ronan Keating, actress Sophie Monk, racing identity Emma Freedman, television stars -including Jules Lund and Sybilla Deen - entrepreneur Nicholas Bolton, athlete Steve Hooker, Collingwood players Shane O’Bree and Josh Fraser, and Sonya Walger from Channel 7’s FlashForward.
Emirates is the Principal Partner of the Melbourne Cup Carnival and the title sponsor of the Emirates Melbourne Cup and Emirates Stakes.
Emirates currently flies non-stop to six continents from Dubai and in India the airline serves the cities of Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Kochi, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Kozhikode, Mumbai and Thiruvananthapuram.