MELBOURNE, Nov 5: Media Puzzle, ridden by Damien Oliver, won Tuesday’s 142nd running of the $A4 million ($US2.2 million) Melbourne Cup, giving Irish trainer Dermot Weld his second victory in Australia’s richest and most famous race.

Mr Prudent finished second, two lengths away, with Beekeeper third, a further long neck adrift.

Media Puzzle’s stablemate, race favourite Vinnie Roe, finished fourth of the 23 starters.

Media Puzzle became only the second European-trained horse to win the 3,200 metres classic, emulating Vintage Crop in 1993.

It was an emotional day for Oliver, who won his first Melbourne Cup on board Doriemus in 1995.

Media Puzzle emerged as one of the favourites for the classic after winning last month’s Geelong Cup, one of the traditional lead-ups, in brilliant fashion.

The six-year-old gelding hit the front rounding the final turn and sprinted clear of the field to win easily.

Mr Prudent, an eight-year-old trained in Geelong by George Hanlon, finished stronly while Beekeeper, one of three runners from the Arab-owned Godolphin stable, took third.

Results:

1. Media Puzzle (ridden by Damien Oliver); 2. Mr Prudent (Corey Brown); 3. Beekeeper (Kerrin McEvoy).

23 ran

Distances: two lengths, long neck

Winner trained in Ireland by Dermot Weld.

Value to winner: A$2.4 million (US$1.3 million).

Tote (includes A$1 stake); Win A$6.00; places A$2.40, A$11.30, A$3.40.

Dual Forecast A$248.90 (A$1=US$0.55).—Reuters