The Chris Waller stable secured their second Caulfield Cup victory in three years with first emergency Durston getting the eleventh-hour call-up on race morning to take out the $5 million showdown in Melbourne.

Durston made history as the first ever emergency to win the Caulfield Cup in an upset. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

With a rain-affected track, trainer John O’Shea opted to scratch Maximal from the 2022 Caulfield Cup field today paving the way for Durston to come in on a 51.5kg light weight from barrier six.

Jockey Michael Dee picked up the late Caulfield Cup ride and was rewarded with his first major, giving the winning import an absolute peach of a ride.

“It was absolutely unreal,” Waller’s stable rep Jo Taylor told Racing.com after the result that saw Durston become the first ever Caulfield Cup emergency to win.

“He’s been in such a rich vein of form and to see him get this is just a fantastic result for everyone.

“Chris has proven that he’s an absolute master.”

Sea The Moon seven-year-old Durston had just his 16^th career run in the mile and a half classic and was excellent late posting his third win from his latest four starts.

Winner of the Listed Wyong Cup (2100m) and Group 3 Newcastle Cup (2300m) in September, he improved on an unplaced sixth to stablemate No Compromise in the Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m) in Sydney on Epsom Day run on a Heavy (8).

Durston appreciated the firming Caulfield course today, which was upgraded to a Soft (7) ahead of the Cup.

His path to glory saw him emulate Gurner’s Lane (1982) who also won the Newcastle Cup, ran unplaced in The Metropolitan and then won the Caulfield Cup.

Gurner’s Lane would also continue on to take out the iconic Melbourne Cup race over the two miles at Flemington that November.

For Waller and the team, it was another Caulfield Cup trophy in the cabinet after their 2020 success with Verry Elleegant.

Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott’s Sydney Cup winner Knights Order led the Caulfield Cup field around rolling out to a notable lead and setting a moderate pace.

Knights Order held a narrow lead into the straight looking to go all-the-way, but the challengers were coming.

The Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained French expat Gold Trip chimed in strongly at the 200m and just got into the lead inside the final furlong.

Dee however travelled up well aboard the eventual Caulfield Cup winner, slicking through the middle of the field.

He allowed Durston to get into the right part of the track before coming over the top of them late to get the job done.

“The winning line was coming and it almost looked like he wouldn’t get there,” Taylor said.

“Mickey Dee did a fantastic job to get him over the line.”

Gold Trip held for a brave second with the 57.5kg top-weight, while Knights Order off his leading run finished off the Caulfield Cup trifecta in third.

He finished just ahead of the fast-finishing mare Montefilia who produced an outstanding Melbourne Cup trial.

Eleven horses have completed the Caulfield Cup – Melbourne Cup double in the same year with the classy mare Ethereal the last back in 2001.

Odds on Durston to be the next in all-in Melbourne Cup 2022 betting at Ladbrokes.com.au have firmed in from $41 to $15 with full markets available here.

2022 Caulfield Cup Results & Finishing Order

Table Credit: Racing Australia.