The Melbourne Cup: When a Nose is All That Matters
The Melbourne Cup is the "race that stops a nation," and for good reason. It's a day of excitement, anticipation, and of course, a whole lot of betting. But what makes the Cup so special are the heart-stopping finishes, those nail-biting moments where it all comes down to the wire.
Today, we're diving into the history books and revisiting five of the closest finishes in Melbourne Cup history. You're about to see some photo finishes so tight, you'll need a magnifying glass to separate the winners!
1. 1975: Think Big vs. Galilee
This one's a classic. Think Big, a horse with a legendary name, won the 1975 Cup by a mere nose over the gallant Galilee. It was a race of pure grit, with both horses battling tooth and nail to the finish line. Think Big had to dig deep, pulling ahead at the very last moment. It was a finish that left the crowd stunned and gave the term "photo finish" a whole new meaning.
2. 1993: Subzero vs. Saintly
This race is known as the “great upset” for good reason. Saintly, the reigning champion, was the favorite going into the race. But Subzero, a long shot at 25-1 odds, had other plans. In a heart-stopping finish, Subzero edged out Saintly by a short head, proving that anything can happen in the Melbourne Cup.
3. 2002: Media Puzzle vs. Aristophanes
In 2002, the Melbourne Cup was a two-horse race – literally. Media Puzzle and Aristophanes were the only two horses with a shot at the win. After a thrilling duel down the stretch, Media Puzzle eventually won by a short head, leaving Aristophanes in second place. This race was all about the finish, and it was certainly a nail-biter!
4. 1989: Our Kim vs. Tawqeet
The 1989 Melbourne Cup was one for the ages. Our Kim, a filly, faced off against the powerful Tawqeet in a race that went down to the wire. The finish was so close, it took several minutes to decide the winner. In the end, Our Kim triumphed by a head, becoming the first filly to win the Melbourne Cup in 25 years.
5. 2014: Protectionist vs. Red Cadeaux
Protectionist's win in 2014 was truly a "from the clouds" victory. He had only been in Australia for a few months, and he was a complete unknown to most. But he proved his strength and determination on the day, edging out the valiant Red Cadeaux by a short head.
These are just a handful of the closest finishes in Melbourne Cup history. The race continues to provide incredible drama, with every year delivering new stories and unexpected heroes. So if you're looking for a thrilling day of racing, make sure to catch the Melbourne Cup! You never know what nail-biting finish awaits!