Prominent owner Lloyd Williams collected his fourth Melbourne Cup when locally trained Green Moon fought off the world’s best stayers to win Australia’s greatest race at Flemington today.

Green Moon

Green Moon wins owner Lloyd Williams his fourth Melbourne Cup. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

And jockey Brett Prebblewho flew in from Hong Kong where he has been based for the last eight years collects his first Melbourne Cup from his tenth ride in the great race.

Green Moon lost some supporters after getting battered and bruised when unplaced as favourite in the Cox Plate ten days ago but trained Robert Hickmott and his staff have done a remarkable job to bring the six year back to his peak to win the Group 1 $6m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m).

Williams has previously won the Melbourne Cup with Just A Dash way back in 1981, What A Nuisance in 1985 and Efficient in 2007.

Williams has put a lot of money into the thoroughbred industry and has been rewarded with a memorable win today with Green Moon who was brought to Australia two years ago and has thrived under the local  conditions.

Williams’ son Nick was at Flemington representing his father and congratulated all his training staff in securing a win in the greatest race in Australia.

“It’s terrific. I’m just so proud for all our team at the farm, everyone puts in so much time and effort, of course lead by dad,” Nick Williams said.

“It’s another Melbourne Cup triumph for team Williams and I’m ecstatic.”

“We put a lot of money into it and a heck of a lot of effort and so to get this result today is terrific. I’m so excited and so happy for all our people.”

Williams was confident that Green Moon would bounce back after his Cox Plate defeat which saw his price tumble out to $20.

Australian jockey Brett Prebble only arrived in Melbourne on Monday after riding a treble at Sha Tin on Sunday to became one of the lucky few jockeys to win a Melbourne Cup.

“It’s my life’s dream to do it,” Prebble said.

Prebble was super confident during the race and couldn’t wait to let Green Moon go as soon as the field entered the long Flemington straight knowing that his horse was ready to explode to the line.

“He was never going to get beat. I got a severe check 250m after the start and it put me back on the fence and he was on and off the bridle and all I wanted him to do was get him just to rest.”

“I knew that there was no horse in the race with his turn of foot. He’s a quality weight for age horse. The old stayers used to win but now days you need those quality weight for age horses.”

Leading Sydney trainer Gai Waterhouse ran second for the third time with her import Fiorente ($31) one length behind Green Moon with the wildly travelled European galloper Jakkalberry ($81) a further one and a quarter lengths away in third spot.

Waterhouse’s other runner Glencadam Gold ($41) set a reasonable pace as expected and after kicking strongly in the straight held on to finish sixth.

Mount Athos ($7.50) headed the rest of the international runners finishing in fifth spot with Americain ($7.50) ending up in eleventh spot and $7 favourite Dunaden was never able to get in the race to finish fourteenth.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.