Racing: Puzzle triumphs as Europe holds sway

For the second time in 10 years it was a win for Ireland, a win for owner Michael Smurfit and, as Media Puzzle flashed the doctor's yellow and blue silks home in Australia yesterday, a second win for Dermot Weld in the Melbourne Cup.

It was a dramatic result, not just because it further cemented the trainer's place in "the race that stops a nation", a contest he first won with Vintage Crop in 1993.

It was also a reminder of a race that stopped a life. This should have been a momentous day also for the winning jockey, Damien Oliver, but his emotions remain in a jumble following the death of his brother Jason in the aftermath of an accident on the Perth gallops a week ago. He described the whole day as "surreal".

"For the first few days after Jason's death racing didn't seem that important," Oliver said, "but I'd like to thank the Welds for giving me time to consider [whether or not to ride]. It's an amazing thrill but it was hard to keep the emotions together as I came up the straight because I couldn't afford to let people down.

"It's been difficult. It's been a tough time for all the family, not only me. The perspectives can be lost sometimes. I'd give this back right now to have him back with us."

Media Puzzle was one of two Rosewell House representatives in the race and both he and Vinnie Roe found encouraging positions early on as Hatha Anna, one of a trio of Godolphin runners, duelled for the lead with Sandmason.

Frankie Dettori on the Dubai team's Pugin also travelled pleasingly just behind the leaders for a long time, but then faded disappointingly when the field made the turn for home. It was here that Vinnie Roe and Pat Smullen appeared to be going slightly the better straightening up, but that was to disregard the huge weight the dual Irish St Leger winner was humping.

There came the challenges of Mr Prudent and the third Godolphin runner, Beekeeper, who finished well to occupy the places, but Media Puzzle was free for a two-length victory. Vinnie Roe hung on for fourth. It was the second fastest time in the history of the two-mile event.

"These are special moments in life," Weld said. "I was so thrilled turning for home to see my two horses fighting out the Melbourne Cup. They've come 12,000 miles to do this.

"Vinnie Roe has run a wonderful race for a four-year-old. He hasn't let us down for a big run on a track that was too firm for him. He'll be back, but today was Media Puzzle's day.

"After he ran fourth in the St Leger at Doncaster two years ago I said in the enclosure that this would be my next Melbourne Cup horse. In fact, he fractured his pelvis quite badly and stood in a box for four and a half months and we've brought him back for today."

Media Puzzle's place at Flemington was confirmed only after his record-breaking victory in the local Geelong Cup last month. Weld talked about the doubt of getting the horse into the race during a post-race press conference in which he was seated directly opposite a portrait of Vintage Crop. "I said I wouldn't come back unless I had the horse to win it," he said. "Today I had. These are the things you dream about."

For Godolphin, the Melbourne quest goes on. Despite being placed second twice and third in the race in recent years they have yet to taste success.

"With a little more experience Beekeeper would perhaps have done a bit better," Simon Crisford, the team's racing manager, said. "Hopefully next year we'll be back and we'll look at things again because one thing we have seen this year is that two of the horses [Media Puzzle and Beekeeper] have had runs and so perhaps we will come back a little earlier."

Of the organisation's other two representatives, Pugin and Hatha Anna, who finished 18th and 20th respectively, Crisford said: "They hated the ground."

Another reason was given for the defeat of Sir Michael Stoute's charge Daliapour, who finished 16th. "He didn't really get the trip," the trainer said. Australia seems a long way to go to discover the distance is too far.

Boxing Day assignmentfor Edredon

Despite drifting in the betting, from 5-1 to 10-1, Edredon Bleu was an easy, 10-length winner of the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter yesterday. Deputising for his stablemate Best Mate, Jim Culloty's mount sealed victory with a terrific jump at the third-last fence.

Henrietta Knight, the winner's trainer, said Edredon Bleu may now step up up in distance with a possible visit to Kempton for the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day.

At Catterick yesterday, the jockey Dean McKeown and trainer Nick Littmoden were punished under the "non-triers' rule". McKeown was banned for 15 days and Littmoden fined £1,700 after Laggan Minstrel, finished seventh in the sixth race. Laggan Minstrel, having his first run for Littmoden, was banned from running for 40 days.