Efficient wins Melbourne Cup horse race with storming finish

0 Comments | AFP, November, 2007

MELBOURNE (AFP) — Locally-trained Efficient stormed down the outside of the track to beat English raider Purple Moon and win the Melbourne Cup at Flemington here Tuesday.

The four-year-old New Zealand-bred gelding, starting at 16-1, finished powerfully to overhaul Luca Cumani-trained Purple Moon (9-2) to win the 3200-metre (2-mile) race by half a length.

Irish stayer Mahler (9-1), trained by Aidan O'Brien, was third, two and a half lengths further away after leading into the straight.

Efficient, ridden by Michael Rodd and trained by Graeme Rogerson, was the third Melbourne Cup triumph for Australian businessman Lloyd Williams.

Williams had previously won the Cup with Just A Dash in 1981 and What A Nuisance in 1985.

"I knew at the top of the...