And it will go down in history as Gold Trip's Cup.

But is this really the race to stop the nation?  Certainly crowds were back after two years of Covid restrictions but not in quite the same number as before.  The weather could have much to do with this particularly on Cup Day which was showery with a touch of hail and it was freezing. 

After some unfortunate incidents strict veterinary controls were imposed on horses from overseas who had their eyes on this race.  This year two of the four imports didn't make the final field which was a pity as certainly the German runner would have sparked a lot of interest in Europe.  So this year there were no O'Brien runners and no Japanese runners.  The fact that it is a 3200m handicap means that it is not up there with the classics and the Cox Plate has more interest for overseas runners than the Cup.  And while the date is sacred in Australia, it doesn't fit in with the idea that racing happens at weekends common in other jurisdictions.

The two overseas runners were also faced with a soft track and while Deauville Legend ran his heart out he may not have got the trip and Without A Fight didn't handle the surface.

Second and third places went to locals – Emissary who started on 25/1 for Mike Moroney with Patrick Moloney riding.  They finished 2 lengths behind Gold Trip and the jockey got a hefty fine for causing interference at the 600m mark which badly impacted Numerian and also Vow and Declare got a check as a result.  Third went to a stablemate of the winner, the NZ bred High Emocean 40/1 with young Teo Nugent aboard.  They ran a very strong last 150m but could not catch the winner.

Gold Trip started off in France where he was trained by Fabrice Chappet and he was seen as a good, consistent horse who perhaps lacked that killer instinct but could get into the frame at the top level.  He came to the attention of Australian Bloodstock who purchased him and brought him to Victoria and the stables of Maher & Eustace where he seems to have settled very happily.  His second in the Caulfield Cup was enough to bring him to the fore of the market but his top weight meant his price was in the double-figure range.  Word is that he will have an Autumn campaign in Sydney and return to the Victorian tracks in the Spring.  He's an entire so he could have a second career at the end of that.