Rank outsider Knight’s choice stuns Melbourne Cup in photo finish at packed house at Flemington

Rank outsider Knight’s Choice has claimed the 2024 Melbourne Cup in a photo finish, beating Japanese raider Warp Speed by half a head in a thrilling finish.

Irish-born, Queensland-based jockey Robbie Dolan – previously most famous as a singer on Aussie reality show The Voice – steered the 66-1 shot to victory, edging out Warp Speed as they went to the line together.

Okita Soushi and Zardozi both led inside the final furlong but finished third and fourth respectively. 

“I’ll be singing for the rest of my life after that,” Dolan said.

‘It is incredible. I can’t believe it. I don’t even know what to say.’

‘I watched every Melbourne Cup far the last 40 years. I thought my best chance was to get him to stay the trip and hopefully he can run home and do the quick sectionals he can on a good track and he proved everybody wrong,’ Dolan continued.

‘I can’t put it into words. It is the biggest race in the world. I have my family here and my partner Christine, our little baby Maisy, and my dad flew over from Ireland and now you have me in tears.’

Knight’s Choice became the longest shot to win the Melbourne Cup since Michelle Payne steered Prince of Penzance to victory in 2015 at 100-1.

Pre-race favourites Vauban and Buckaroo settled at the back of the field and made their runs in the straight but weakened late. 

Knight’s Choice beats Warp Speed in a photo finish to win the 2024 Melbourne Cup

While the capacity crowd at Flemington was stunned by the result, trainer John Symons said it came as no shock to him.

‘We wouldn’t have been here if we didn’t think we could,’ he said.

‘What a great ride by Robbie. I took therisk, went through the pack. I was worried. He got further back than we talked about, but great ride. What a thrill. What a thrill.

‘Look, you know, you work with these horses 24/7, and you know where you have got them, and you would be disappointed if he didn’t run a good race. 

‘You know, what position – top five in a race like this, you have to walk away happy. To win it, it is a dream come true.’

Warp Speed and Okita Soushi were doing battle for the win when they were stunned by Dolan and his ride on Knight’s Choice

The stunned onlookers at Flemington Racecourse could not believe what they were seeing as the 64-1 long shot claimed victory

Co-trainer Sheila Laxon – who also trained Ethereal to Melbourne Cup glory in 2001 – said Dolan was now an honourary Aussie. 

‘I love it being down for the Australians. The Australian horse has done it, and Robbie is Australian now as well, so I’m thrilled to win the Cup, and it is the people’s Cup and that’s what it is all about,’ she said.