Melbourne Cup 2008

Viewed wins thrilling Melbourne Cup for Bart Cummings | National News | News.com.au

Viewed wins thrilling Melbourne Cup for Bart Cummings

By staff writers and wires

NEWS.com.au

November 04, 2008 03:22pm

Viewed wins Melbourne Cup
VIEWED has won this year's Melbourne Cup ahead of Bauer in a photo finish. C'est La Guerre ran third.

It was the 12th win for legendary trainer Bart Cummings but Viewed, with Blake Shinn on board, was almost run down by Bauer.

Accepting the trophy for the win Cummings said he had a habit of winning the race that stops a nation - and it was a good habit to have.

"It's great to see the Aussies succeed, not only in racing but also in cricket," he said, referring to the large number of international horses in this year's race.

Cummings said he thought the race had ended in a dead heat but Viewed won by the smallest of margins.

The win was the first Melbourne Cup win for Shinn who said it was an unbelievable feeling.

"It's one of the greatest moments in sport to be able to ride a Melbourne Cup winner,' he said.

Owner Dato Tan Nim Chan thanked Cummings' staff, who he has had a long association with, as he collected his fourth Cup trophy.


Master O'Reilly finished fourth and Profound Beauty was fifth. The winner paid $41 on the NSW TAB, with $6.90 and $8.10 for placegetters Bauer and C'est La Guerre respectively.

For those in sweeps Honolulu finished last but there could be protests from those who picked Gallopin which failed to make the 3200m distance.

Celebrities on parade

Australian sporting identities rubbed shoulders with international stars and local celebrities in the prestigious Melbourne Cup Birdcage enclosure.

Class had come back to the Melbourne Cup with classic race dresses and eye catching "hatinators" the winners in the fashion stakes, Jennifer Hawkins said.

"Everyone is going for a more classic look and hemlines are down, but it's being done in a sexy way," said Myer face Hawkins.

The former Miss Universe went full-on feminine with a floaty pink Nicola Finetti dress and headpiece laden with more than $150,000 worth of pearls.

"I wanted to be a bit girly today," she said

Lleyton Hewitt lined up to place a bet in the exclusive Emirates marquee while musical ensemble the Ten Tenors serenaded well-heeled guests nearby.

British chef Ainsley Harriott lounged on a white settee and former Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist and wife Mel chatted to Emirates guests.

Elsewhere, Brighton resident Kirsty MacGillivray took out today's Myer Fashions on the Field contest, wearing a knee-length black dress and matching tailored jacket with a black and white floral fascinator.

Cheeky host Carson Kressley opened the event, which will culminate in the fashion final on Oaks Day.

"I just came from the mounting yard and it was amazing," he drawled to the crowd.

Judge Candace Bushnell, the creator of Sex and the City, heaped praise on the 10 finalists and the style of race-goers.

"I love it, I absolutely love it, the fashions are incredible and everywhere you turn there is another amazingly dressed woman," she said.

Betting big

NSW punters have outstripped their Victorian mates, wagering $51.2 million on the Melbourne Cup at Tabcorp outlets, compared with $36.5 million in Victoria, the cup's home state.

Tabcorp spokesman Nicholas Tzaferis said the figures for both states, totalling $87.7 million, were up on last year.

"But we had equine influenza last year so it's a difficult year to compare," Mr Tzaferis said.

Today's Tabcorp betting figures for the cup against 2006 figures were up for Victoria, but down for NSW.

Mr Tzaferis said it was usual for more to be bet in NSW than Victoria, despite the cup's home being Melbourne.

"Yeah absolutely, it's a national event and everyone bets on it nationally."

The West Australian TAB took bets totalling $14.3 million on the race - up more than 20 per cent on last year's turnover.

Queenslanders were expected to bet more than $23 million they wagered on last year's race.

- with AAP