Verry Elleegant upsets formbook to win Melbourne Cup

Twilight Payment returned from Ireland to defend its title but ran in the middle for much of the race and finished 11th.

James McDonald riding Verry Elleegaant celebrates winning the Melbourne Cup this morning. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Verry Elleegant surged home to beat hot favorite Incentivise and win the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday, giving high-profile trainer Chris Waller his first victory in Australia’s most famous horse race.

It was the New Zealand-bred mare’s 10th Group 1 win. Spanish Mission was third in the 2-mile classic.