Horse Wins Melbourne Cup - Again

Many people turned up to Flemington on Tuesday hoping to see a slice of history. But they walked away disappointed after horses again filled the major placings at this year's Melbourne Cup, their jockeys unable to mount a serious challenge.

But the Senior Marketing Manager with the Jockeys' Collective, Mr Roy Beadman-Higgins, said he remained convinced that a jockey would one day with the coveted Melbourne Cup.

"I still think it will happen one day," Beadman-Higgins said. "Unfortunately, this just wasn't our year."

"I really thought Frankie Dettori was a good chance to salute the judge. And that he did – it was just unfortunate that he saluted from well back in the field, long after lots of other jockeys and their horses had passed the post."

"That Japanese jockey on Delta Blues never had a chance – he's way too short. His horse was always going to cross the line first."

Beadman-Higgins said he was continuing his campaign to have the jockeys officially installed at third and fourth place-getters in the race.

"In a close contest like that, I concede that the two horses crossed the line first. But after that it was surely the Japanese jockey and Aussie Damian Oliver who were next home."

"I certainly hope it pans out that way, because I had a lazy $100 on Oliver at 300-1."

Beadman-Higgins conceded that the small size of jockeys was always going to be a stumbling block to their chances of finishing ahead of their horses.

With that in mind, he said the Jockeys' Collective is considering taller jockeys, or shorter horses, for next year's Carnival.

"I'm also hearing whispers that some jockeys are considering running without their horses next year," he said. "That could work."