Diva divine in Melbourne Cup hat-trick

MAKYBE DIVA carved her name into the annals of Australian racing history by claiming a remarkable third consecutive Emirates Melbourne Cup at Flemington yesterday.

In a race where the British and Irish raiders disappointed, Lee Freedman’s brilliant mare swept to a decisive victory to become the first horse to win the two-mile feature for a third time.

The seven-year-old was always travelling well towards the rear before gradually edging closer to the pace on the home bend.

Despite his modest draw, jockey Glen Boss produced a masterclass in riding to get his partner on the rail in the early exchanges and was handily placed thereafter.

Mr Celebrity took the field along at a moderate pace, but Freedman’s charge could have been called the winner as soon as they turned for home.

A couple of reminders two furlongs from home had the desired effect as Makybe Diva slalomed past the winning post to send a fervent Australian crowd of nearly 140,000 delirious.

On A Jeune came with a blistering late run but could never get close to the winner, who prevailed by a length and a quarter.

Dermot Weld’s Vinnie Roe could never get competitive but stayed on for eighth position.

Michael Stoute’s Distinction, who finished in 19th place, looked prime for a late surge but ran out of gas when it mattered and failed to land a serious blow.

The Mark Tompkins-trained Franklins Gardens was never travelling well and had to be pulled up at the line, trailing home last.

Makybe Diva’s owner Tony Santic confirmed the daughter of Desert King will now be retired.

“To ask any more of this mare would not be fair on her,” he said. “It was just such a memorable performance - the horse means so much to me.”

Boss, who has ridden Makybe Diva on all three of her Melbourne Cup victories, was choked with emotion after the race.

“What a mare,” he exclaimed.

“This is the greatest thing that has happened to racing in my career. I got there way too soon but she has responded so well for me.

“After that I knew that nothing was going to come from behind to beat me.

“I owe so much to her. She has given me the most incredible joy in my career.

“This is a moment I’ve dreamt of forever - I am just so proud to be a part of it.”

Freedman branded Makybe Diva’s heroics as one of the defining moments in Australian racing history. “Children are the only people here to live long enough to see something like this again,” he said.