$91 roughie shocks the punters in the 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup

The 164th Melbourne Cup produced a huge shock for punters. Knight’s Choice is the biggest-priced winner since Prince of Penzance in 2015. We thought it might be a shock, putting up Warp Speed as one of our picks for the race but it would have been hard for most to find Knight’s Choice.

How did Knight’s Choice win the Melbourne Cup?

Fifth in the Bendigo Cup last week behind Sea King, Knight’s Choice had a poor run through that day. While his troubled passage entitled him to finish closer to the British-trained horse, the turnaround in form was huge.

The last time that Knight’s Choice saluted was December 2023, a Doomben handicap over 2000m. This season has seen him taking on Group 1 company, finishing 9th in the Underwood, last of 16 in the Turnbull and 14th in the Caulfield Cup.

Held up a long way back in a field that went fast early, it turned out to be the perfect spot. He came from further back than the other horses who filled out the frame, showing a great turn of foot when the gap came. It was a surprise win but despite the price, there was no fluke about it.

A first for John Symons but a second for Sheila Laxton

John Symons has a huge amount of experience as a trainer, starting his partnership with Sheila Laxton in 2016. This was the first Group 1 that they have trained as a partnership but both have had them in the past.

Symons had Bel Esprit who won the Blue Diamond in 2002 and the Doomben 10000 in 2003. He is arguably more famous, however, as the sire of Black Caviar!

Laxton was born in Wales, and educated in racing by legendary trainer John Dunlop. If the Dunlop name sounds familiar, his son Ed trained Red Cadeaux who finished second in three Melbourne Cups.

In her own training career, Laxton already has a Melbourne Cup to her credit. She became the first female trainer to win the race when Etereal won the race in 2001, completing the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup double.

Robbie Dolan has the biggest winner of his life

It was in 2016 that Robbie Dolan left his native Ireland to pursue his career as a jockey in Australia. His Dad Bobby worked for Dermot Weld for a long time. Weld won a pair of Melbourne Cups himself with Vintage Cup and Media Puzzle.

Knight’s Choice was the first ride that Dolan has had in the race. He made it count, though, by his own admission, he was a little further back than he wanted to be. Riding a horse with unproven stamina, Dolan was at pains to keep him covered up as long as possible.

Warp Speed finished second for Japan who last won the race in 2006 with Media Blues. The strong stayer had shown top form over 3200m in his home country and ran an absolute stormer to only be beaten 0.1l.

Third was Okita Soushi for Ciaron Maher. He had finished 11th in the race last year in his final start for Joseph O’Brien. The tricast paid more than $22,500 in a race dominated by roughies.

No matter the price of the winner, the Melbourne Cup is always a spectacular contest. When it comes down to a finish as close as the one in 2024, it reminds those once-a-year punters of just what an incredible sport it is that we enjoy year-round. That is priceless.