6 November 2007
Efficient became the first horse since Phar Lap to win the Melbourne Cup a year after winning the AAMI Victoria Derby.
Efficient gave owner Lloyd Williams his third Emirates Melbourne Cup with a super performance at Flemington when he ran down the brave English visitor Purple Moon and Irish four-year-old Mahler.
Efficient settled well back, with Mahler settling outside the race leader. Purple Moon settled perfectly in sixth position.
Mahler skipped away to a two length lead in the straight with Purple Moon challenging quickly and looked the winner until Efficient started rattling home late to take the lead in the last 50 metres and win by half a length at the finish.
1. EFFICIENT: Settled well back in the field and tracked Master O’Reilly into the race. Really got going near the 300m mark and looked like running past them and winning by 3 or 4 lengths. Just peaked on his run and guts out the win. Great training effort.
2. PURPLE MOON: Great ride by Oliver. Slotted him in better than midfield with cover. Peeled out at the top of the straight to hit the front near the 300m mark, but was quickly challenged. Really fought hard and lay in under pressure in the last little bit.
3. MAHLER: Sat outside the leader for the whole race and took up the running entering the straight. Stuck to his task well and really fought it out to the line. Super effort.
4. ZIPPING: Just left with a little too much to do. Got along way back and just like last year found the line well.
5. DOLPHIN JO: Settled near the speed on the fence and stuck on well in the straight.
6. ON A JEUNE: Got well back and ran home well. Just not quite sharp enough to challenge.
7. BLUE MONDAY: Sat near the speed for the 3200m and just was left a bit flat footed when they sprinted.
8. MASTER O\'REILLY: No excuses. Settled towards the rear as is his style, swung wide, but only battled in the straight.
9. SCULPTOR: Got away well and settled on the pace, but was found out when they quickened around the home turn.
10. LAZER SHARP: Settled around midfield and didn’t quite have the class to challenge. Ran home reasonably.
11. DOURO VALLEYSettled better then midfield and didn’t stay a strong 3200m.
12. SIRMIONE: Got well back and ran home reasonably.
13. PRINCESS COUP: Settled quietly well back in the field, but didn’t quite get the trip.
14. TAWQEET: Settled around midfield and was never a threat.
15. ESKIMO QUEEN Settled around midfield and didn’t really show any acceleration.
16. SCENIC SHOT: Settled last and only ran home moderately.
17. BLACK TOM: Settled worse than midfield, loomed up and immediately weakened. Doesn’t get a strong 3200m at this level.
18. SARRERA: Settled last and only beat home those that were stopping.
19. BLUTIGEROO: Didn’t stay.
20. RAILINGS: Settled near last and basically ran horribly.
21. TUNGSTEN STRIKE: Set a cracking pace in leading the field until the home turn and weakened out of it horribly in the straight.
from
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