France-trained Dunaden wins Melbourne Cup
November 1, 2011MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) - French-trained Dunaden won the $6.2 million Melbourne Cup on Tuesday, beating England's Red Cadeaux by a nose in one of the closest finishes in the 151-year history of the 3,200-meter handicap.
French jockey Christophe Lemaire guided the Mikel Delzangles-trained Dunaden to the front a few strides from the line to hold off the fast-finishing Red Cadeaux, ridden by Australia's Michael Rodd.
German import Lucas Cranach, owned and trained in Australia, finished third.
Dunaden, by the British sire Nicobar from the French mare La Marlia, started an 8-1 second favorite after winning the Geelong Cup on Oct. 19 in its first start in Australia. Red Cadeaux started at odds of more than 30-1.