2019 Melbourne Cup: Vow and Declare wins the 159th edition of race

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2019 Melbourne Cup: Vow and Declare wins the 159th edition of race image

Vow and Declare has ensured that the Melbourne Cup will stay in Australia after a brilliant run to win in the 159th edition of the great race.

With 400m to go, it looked like any horse could claim, with the pack centred towards the middle of the track.

However, Craig Williams would keep the four-year-old on the rails, which turned out to be a masterstroke, gifting a clean run up the straight.

With other riders looming up, it appeared that it would be caught, with Master Of Reality amongst others looming out.


The Australian bred horse would snatch the race on the line, getting its head in front to claim the prestigious race ahead of Master Of Reality and  Prince Of Arran.

It marks the first time that both trainer Danny O'Brien and Craig Williams have claimed the prestigious race, with the jockey finally winning after 14 attempts.

"I was just lucky enough to sit on Vow and Declare," Williams said.

"Danny O'Brien has a fantastic story with him and it was a privilege to ride him.

"It's been great to be associated with a great horse like this horse."


There was drama after the race however, with a protest over the minor placings between Master Of Reality and Il Paradiso.

The protest would be upheld with Master of Reality relegated to 4th after making contact with Il Paradiso during the final 100m

Prince of Arran will be elevated to second place whilst Il Paradiso will slot into the final place on the podium.


The final order was as followed

1. VOW AND DECLARE

2. PRINCE OF ARRAN

3. IL PARADISO

4. MASTER OF REALITY

5. SURPRISE BABY

6. MER DE GLACE

7. FINCHE

8. CROSS COUNTER

9. STEEL PRINCE

10. MAGIC WAND

11. TWILIGHT PAYMENT

12. SOUND

13.CONSTANTINOPLE

14. MIRAGE DANCER

15. HUNTING HORN

16. RAYMOND TUSK

17. THE CHOSEN ONE

18. LATROBE

19. SOUTHERN FRANCE

20. YOUNGSTAR

21. NEUFBOSC

22. DOWNDRAFT

23. MUSTAJEER

24. ROSTROPOVICH

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