Almandin wins Melbourne Cup thriller by a nose

Almandin beat Heartbreak City by a nose in a thrilling finish to the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday, giving Australian owner Lloyd Williams a record fifth win in the 'race that stops a nation'.

The former German galloper caught and edged Ireland's Heartbreak City at Flemington to give jockey Kerrin McEvoy his second Melbourne Cup, 16 years after his first

Race favourite Hartnell, one of five Godolphin runners, was third across the line, 4-1/4 lengths back in the Aus$6.2 million (US$4.7 million) race over 3,200 metres (two miles).

It was a second Cup triumph for local trainer Robert Hickmott, who rehabilitated Almandin over 18 months off the track following a tendon injury after acquiring it in Germany.

McEvoy, who won his first Melbourne Cup with Brew in 2000, got Almandin home from the Tony Martin-trained Irish stayer Heartbreak City and ridden by Hong Kong-based Brazilian jockey Joao Moreira.

"Gee, he travelled well. How lucky am I, mate?" McEvoy said immediately after the win.

"The elation is unreal. Just a dream race. Great to be part of it again. Second cup."

The win made Williams the most successful owner in Melbourne Cup history following his previous successes with Just a Dash (1981), What a Nuisance (1985), Efficient (2007) and Green Moon (2012).

"It's high on the agenda, this one," Williams said, when asked how this triumph rated with his other successes.

"This horse had a (damaged) tendon, he was broken down. No, it's quite emotional about this one. The boys have done a fabulous job with getting this horse back."

The global Godolphin stable again failed to win the race despite having five runners and has now gone almost 20 years without tasting victory at Flemington.

Another Godolphin runner Qewy was fourth with Who Shot Thebarman fifth.

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