Racing: Favourite found to be lame

By MIKE DILLON in Melbourne

Mamool broke down in today's Melbourne Cup.

It was clear on the home turn that all was not well with the Godolphin-trained favourite.

He looked to be "off" in his action and he showed no response to the urgings of world champion jockey Frankie Dettori. Mamool dropped out to finish last and was lame on returning.

One hour later trainer Saeed Bin Suroor declared Mamool had broken down.

"The vets have found he is lame in a hind leg.

"We will assess the extent of the damage in the next 24 hours."

It was not a good day for Godolphin.

The world champion stable's second runner, Millstreet, arrived in the mounting yard in front of the biggest crowd he had seen - 122,736 - and looked a model of composure.

But something upset him walking down the rose-lined walkway to the track and rider Paddy Payne dismounted until he was out on the track then rode Millstreet to the start with his feet out of the stirrup irons.

Millstreet was fractious in the barriers and refused to settle when taken to the front by Payne, setting up a suicide 3:19.9 pace before dropping out to beat only Schumpeter and Mamool home.

Irish stayer Holy Orders (17th) also pulled up sore.

It was not all bad news for the Europeans; Jardine's Lookout finished strongly to take A$335,000 for third, delighting part owner and trainer Alan Jarvis.

"I'm so proud of him," Jarvis said.

"He's a fraction dour for this race and I'm already looking at home for a Melbourne Cup horse with a bit more speed.

"I'll be looking hard in the next two years."

Jarvis said he would bring Jardine's Lookout back from England next year for a third cup campaign.

Hugs Dancer, from England, sneaked in by a place (9th) to land the A$90,000 starter's rebate.

English jockey Dean McKeown was disappointed with the way the race was run.

"To a certain extent it was the horse's own fault.

"He got back and had I stayed there he would not have been able to sprint to the leaders late in the race, so I had to go forward mid-race.

"But that, of course, is hardly ideal.

" It was a catch 22 situation."

Hugs Dancer was wide through the middle stages, still fourth on the home bend and fought bravely, though only ninth.

McKeown fell in love with the cup raceday experience.

"I've ridden winners on the English Derby undercard and ridden a lot of winners, but there is no experience like this - money can't buy this."

McKeown accepted he would probably not experience it again.

"James [trainer James Given] is at the start of his career and I'm nearing the end of mine - I wish it was the reverse."

She's Archie, at huge odds, fought bravely for second, providing a big thrill for rider Scott Seamer, who won the cup on Ethereal two years ago.

"It was a big run from my horse."