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The 165th champion of the ‘Race That Stops a Nation’ has been crowned with the Group 1 $10 million Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) going the way of Jamie Melham, who became just the second woman to win on the first Tuesday in November aboard Half Yours. 

A decade after Michelle Payne created history winning the Cup aboard Prince Of Penzance in 2015, Melham picked her way through the field after receiving all the favours along the rail, storming the line late for a comfortable three-length victory with several of the top international raiders dropping out. 

Early on, Arapaho sped out to lead before Royal Supremacy took over. The field was packed tight early, with only Changingoftheguard settling towards the outside part of the straight and eventually shifting across. 

Buckaroo, who was fancied coming off some solid place efforts at Group 1 level leading in, was last to run past the post the first time around, while Valiant King and favourite Presage Nocturne settled side by side with Smokin’ Romans in fourth. 

A bold move mid-race from Joao Moreira saw Land Legend round the field to lead by as many as nine lengths at the 1000m mark, but the field quickly caught up with all eyes on Middle Earth, who found the front at the top of the straight.  

Ciaron Maher’s stayer held on for third in the end, with surprise place-getter Goodie Two Shoes running on strongly for second. 

Half Yours, who got out to $9.00 before the jump, had history in his sights, hoping to become the 13^th horse to complete the Spring Cups double after claiming the Caulfield Cup three weeks prior in a similar late dash for the line.  

“This is what we do it for. We get up at 4am and work our asses off. It’s tough, it’s not all glorious and perfect as everyone can see sometimes,” Melham told Channel 9 right after the race. 

“I’ve had an amazing year, got married, had some really great days on the track. But nothing ever compares to this feeling I’m feeling.” 

Melham was aboard Half Yours when they combined to win the Caulfield Cup, and she’ll look to add further silverware to he mantlepiece on Thursday when she saddles Ethereum Girl in the Crown Oaks. 

Of the internationals, River Of Stars was among the best to finish off, beaten only 4.75 lengths fourth.  

Last start Geelong Cup winner Torranzino loomed at the top of the straight but dropped back to to fifth, while Vauban – who appeared much more settled in the mounting yard – ran an improved race to finish sixth.  

Top weight Al Riffa was next to greet the judge, while there was no luck for Buckaroo, who never made up any ground and was last past the post the second time around.  

2025 Melbourne Cup Results