Dunaden’s last-gasp surge denies Britain a first success in Melbourne Cup

A FIRST ever British victory in the Emirates Melbourne Cup was prevented by the narrowest possible margin once again as Ed Dunlop’s Red Cadeaux succumbed to well-fancied French stayer Dunaden.

There were gasps from the huge Flemington crowd as they scrutinised the photo-finish frame, which appeared to show the two horses to be passing the line in unison, and it took several minutes until the judges declared it to be second consecutive French winner after Americain a year ago.

Just as Luca Cumani’s Bauer lost out by a nose in 2008, the same margin applied here, but while there was sympathy for Dunlop, the man who experienced the greatest loss was jockey Craig Williams.