"(Applause)" "Ladies and gentlemen, those were the words of Mark Twain over images filmed for the Lumière brothers in 1896... only ten months after they invented the cinecamera." "The Melbourne Cup still astonishes people." "It is still the race that stops a nation, and for that matter, the entire racing world." "But you can't have a horserace without jockeys... men and women who, despite the dangers, dedicate their lives to keeping this great sport alive and well." "So, back to business." "Jockey of the year, and winner of the Scobie Breasley Medal for 2002 is... for a record fourth time - Damien Oliver." "RACE CALLERS:" "He's out by two lengths." "Holds 'em at bay." "And Mr Murphy takes out the Guineas for Damien Oliver." "Fields Of Omagh fighting back with Magical Miss." "Yes!" "Omagh!" "Toledo's the leader in the Newmarket." "And Toledo!" "Toledo for Damien Oliver." "Fubu on the run on the inside." "Umrun, Mr Murphy charge." "Mr Murphy!" "Oh, he's done it again." "Viscount coming at her." "Sunline in front." "Northerly on the outside going at Sunline." "They got very tight, but Northerly wins the Cox Plate!" "(Applause)" "I'd like to call on one of Western Australia's leading jockeys," "Damien's brother, Jason, to make the presentation." " Jason." " Thanks, mate." "And they said he'd never make it, hey?" "Well, I did at least." "(Scattered laughter)" "I was the one out there riding professionally." "I was the one following in our dad's footsteps." "And right in the middle of my dream run, my little brother races past and leaves me in his dust." "Lately, he's been leaving a few other people in his dust as well." "But, Dame, my boy, well done, mate." "We're all very proud of you." "Uh..." "I'd like to thank the judges, my beautiful girlfriend, Trish." "No need to tell me I'm batting above my average." "(Audience chuckles)" "My good mate and manager Neil Pinner." "Good on ya, Pins." "And to Lee Freedman, the best trainer in the country." " At least in his opinion." "(Audience laughs)" " Hey!" " And to my wonderful family." "Especially my mum and my nan, watching this back in the west." "Mum, this is for you." "(Applause)" "You too, Dad." "(Cheering and applause)" "Ladies and gentlemen, top jockey and it's already gone to his head." "Not happy with any of our horses for this year's Melbourne Cup," "Damien is going to ride for the enemy." "Hey, excuse me." "Since when, Dame?" "Well, Lee hasn't got a horse running and there's nothing much else about, so..." "Suddenly an offer came out of the blue that I couldn't refuse." "(Audience murmurs)" "Don't tell me the Irish wizard Dermot Weld?" "Maybe." "MAN:" "What about riding an Aussie horse, Damien?" "I wouldn't go so far as to call my little brother a dirty rotten traitor, but there are some amongst us who would consider Ireland's foremost trainer just..." "Well, you know." "(Clock strikes the hour)" "Where's Vinnie?" "Dress To Thrill?" "Media Puzzle?" "(Snorts)" "His people skills are a little lacking, are they not?" "I suppose it's understandable." "How about I take him out today?" "Oh, thanks, Dave." "Hey." "Easy now, big fella." "Easy." "(Snorts)" "That's it." "That's it." "Steady now." "Time to go out to the gallops, boy." "You wouldn't want to be left behind now, would you?" "Claire, have you something to tell us?" "It's Media Puzzle." "He's playing up again." "As a herding animal, a horse is a creature of habit, particularly so in the case of thoroughbreds training for the track." "For, as we all know, particularly those in my employ as long as Mr Phillips, any deviation in a horse's training will have a significant impact on its performance." "Surely we all know that." "We also know that runners sired by Theatrical tend to have a bit of a temper, and this one's no exception." "Off you go." "Evolving Tactics." "Refuse To Bend." "Lovely, Dermot." "Just lovely." "Two of your best, Michael." "Both in superb condition." "Dress To Thrill." "Top Of The Morning." "And who might the third horse be?" "Well, the important thing is he's not one of yours." "With the money I pay you, I certainly hope not." "Vinnie Roe." "Media Puzzle." "I hear you're taking Vinnie to Australia." "Actually, Michael, I'm taking both." "Media Puzzle?" "I thought we decided he was headed for the knackery." "It's taken him 18 months to get his nerve back, but believe me, it's back." "He's flying." "Remember the English St Leger?" "Fourth." "A good fourth." "Plenty in the tank." "I'm telling you, with the right jockey," "Media Puzzle could win the Melbourne Cup." " Proud of you, mate." " Thanks, Jase." "You don't really mind me riding for Dermot, do you?" "Nah, maybe not." "Which one of his horses will you get to ride?" " Don't know yet." " It's a bit of a blind date." "The way I see it, anything Dermot brings out is going to be pretty good." "The rest is up to me." "Yeah, there's no doubt the bloke's clever." "All I'm saying is watch your back." "The man's full of bullshit." "Over there it's called 'blarney'." "Oh, is it?" "Well, it still smells like crap over here." "Oh, he's OK." "You know, I rode for him in Ireland a few years back." "There was an awful lot of chat, but his horses were great." "Anyway, wouldn't be an issue if you got a starter, would it?" "(Chuckles) Might be time to hit the track." "Work him over." "Six evens." "Home four." "You too, Marty." "Hmm." " What do you reckon?" " Yep." "He'll do." "(Aeroplane landing)" "RACE CALLER: ..and it's Don Eduardo and Carnegie Express locked together." "Damien Oliver drives Don Eduardo away and he's home, ahead of Carnegie Express and Pentastic." "Damien Oliver on Don Eduardo wins the second..." "MAN:" "Qantas 47, contact Sydney departures..." "RACE CALLER:" "Now riding in the Gooree colours, for the second time this afternoon" "Damien Oliver heads out, chasing a rare double, winners in two cities just hours apart." "Oliver has control of the race on Chong Tong." "He's out by a couple of lengths." "He's got it well won." "Damien, straight from Randwick to Flemington, makes it a twin-city double." "(Cheering)" " Told you." "Thank you." "NEWSREADER:" "In local news, the Australian Democrats could be without a new deputy leader until mid-November, after none of the..." "Someone could do with an early night." "Um..." "Yeah, I'd love to." "Unfortunately, the Eagles are playing North at the Dome and Jason's flying back especially, which is terrible, because I hate football." " Sure." " Mwah!" " He's crazy." "You both are." " Runs in the family." "Love you." " Love you." " Go, Eagles!" "CROWD:" "Eagles!" "Eagles!" "(Crowd roars)" "JASON:" "Go, Kerr!" "Go!" "DAMIEN:" "Come on, Kerr!" "Come on!" "Daniel Kerr down towards the 50." "Archer makes the decision, comes to him." "BOTH:" "Oh..." "And pass to Priddis." "Tackled by Sinclair." "Oh, wonderful by Judd." " Go, Juddy!" "Go, Juddy!" " Oh, Juddy." "Come on, Juddy!" "JASON:" "Come on, Juddy!" "DAMIEN:" "To Lynch!" "Goes to Lynch!" "The long bomb for the game!" "Oh, he's hit the post!" "ALL:" "Oh..." "Scores are tied up. 102 apiece." "The Kangaroos and the Eagles." "Jason McCartney brings it back for North Melbourne." "DAMIEN:" "Go, Cuz." "Go, Cuzza!" "JASON:" "Go Cuz!" "Look, look!" "BOTH:" "Yes!" "JASON:" "Go!" "Go!" "JASON:" "Yes, pass!" "For the long kick forward to the full-forward zone." "ANNOUNCER:" "McCartney!" "CROWD:" "Oh..." "JASON:" "Would somebody, anybody, please stop McCartney?" "He's murdering us!" "Back come the West Coast Eagles." "Short one finds Hansen on the lead." "JASON:" "Go, Juddy!" "Go, Juddy!" "BOTH:" "Juddy!" "Come on!" "Go!" "JASON:" "Juddy!" "Come on, Juddy!" "CROWD:" "Oh..." "(Crowd roars)" "(Horn)" "The West Coast Eagles have won it in the dying seconds." "What a remarkable game of football." " Yeah!" " What did I tell you?" "Fifty bucks says we win the flag." "Come on, let's head down the rooms and see the boys." "Whoo!" " Sorry, buddy." "In a rush." " Hey!" "Who have we got here?" "One of your biggest fans, Mr Oliver." "My grandson." " Go ahead." "Say g'day, son." " G'day, mate." "Grandad's back's a little bit more welcoming." "(All chuckle)" " Ah." "Jason Oliver." " A man who knows his racing." " Better yet, a West Australian." "JASON:" "Nice." "I saw your father win the Perth Cup." "And your grandfather win the Kalgoorlie back in '65, yeah." "A bit before your time, of course." "If you wouldn't mind a picture with this fellow." "DAMIEN:" "Not at all." "Here we go." "JASON:" "Sure." " Would mean a lot to us." "DAMIEN:" "Mate, big smile." "RACE CALLER:" "..and Pugin continues in front, being followed by Ballingarry and Vinnie Roe." "Warrsan and Millenary are next, and then Queens Wharf, Margarula." "Couple of lengths to Sadlers Wings." "Half a mile to go as they make the entrance to the straight in the Jefferson Smurf it Memorial Irish St Leger..." "Steady, Pat." "Don't get boxed in." "Then comes Margarula, Queen's Wharf, Sadlers Wings." "They turn their heads for home." "Pugin still in front of Ballingarry." "Vinnie Roe towards the outside in third." " Now." " Millenary 4 and Warrsan 5." "Passing the turn now, and Pugin's..." "He's going to do it, Dermot!" "Vinnie Roe, last year's winner, making ground now towards the final furlong." "And Vinnie Roe clinging to the front..." "He's yours, Pugin." "Take him!" "RACE CALLER:" "They're inside the last 200." " It's Vinnie Roe in front..." " Bring him home, lad." "CALLER: .." "Balingarry and Warrsan going up towards the line." "Vinnie Roe wins back-to-back Legers for Pat Smullen and Dermot Weld." "Second Pugin, Balingarry and Warrsan." "(Horse neighs, applause)" "What's next?" "Will Vinnie go to Paris?" "Will he run in the Arc?" "We'll just take our breath and admire ourselves first for winning the St Leger for the second time, I might add." "Were you worried, Dermot, at the halfway mark, given Vinnie's slow start?" "Now, now, Sean thought you'd know they don't give ribbons out for which horse is in what place at the halfway mark." "At the Curragh, Sean, as pretty much everywhere else." "What matters is how they finish." "Dermot, is there any truth in the rumour you're taking Media Puzzle to Australia with Vinnie?" "There is." "It's more company for Vinnie." "They're stablemates - great friends." "But he hasn't won anything in years." "This is true." "Not like our Vinnie. (Laughs)" "Oh, you champ." "How'd he pull up?" "If he had his way, he'd run in the next race." "Couldn't ask for a better ride, Pat." "Couldn't have asked for a better horse." "Australia?" "ls Vinnie good enough to take them on in the Melbourne Cup?" "Ah, I wouldn't say that." " He's good enough to win it." "(Both chuckle)" "This way, gentlemen." "This way, please." "I Middle-Eastern-themed music" " As-Salamu Alaykum." " Wa Alaykum-us-Salam, Emir." "(Both speak Arabic)" "(Laughs) You know, I had a rag doll in better shape than you." "Who are you calling in bad shape?" "(Grunts)" "(Laughs)" "Nah, they're just a few reminders." "It's my CV." "Oaks Day '95, Melbourne." "Broken collarbone." "Perth '91 broken wrist." "Perth '88 ankle." "You sound almost proud of them." "Nah, I'm just happy to have survived." "How can you avoid it?" "Sometimes you can't." "Sometimes you can." " Just part of the business." " Hmm." "Sometimes I wonder if it's all worth it." "It is." " And so are you." " (Laughs) Don't." "♪ TAXIRIDE:" "Get Set" "Good morning." "First three even." "Gallop home for last two." "♪ Get set, everybody ♪ Get set" "♪ We're on our way to meet you ♪ On our way" "♪ Too late, everybody ♪ Too late" "♪ We're on our way to nowhere..." "♪ On our way... ♪" "Hey." "♪ And I will be there" "♪ Kick out your seat ♪ Let's elevate" "♪ Hold on to what you know ♪ is gonna break" "♪ A roller-coaster ride ♪ inside your mind" "♪ ls what you need ♪ to terrify you" "♪ Don't you know, baby" "♪ Get set, everybody ♪ Get set" "♪ We're on our way ♪ On our way" "♪ To meet you... ♪" "I'll make it even easier for you." "We go straight to the clubhouse and you two start buying drinks." "We won't waste more time watching your brother three-putt this shot." "'Cause let's face it Tiger Woods couldn't make this putt." "JASON:" "No-one could sink this putt with all the racket you're making." "JASON:" "It's perfect, my boy." "DAMIEN:" "Get over there." "LEE:" "No." "Way too fast." "DAMIEN:" "Get over there." "JASON:" "The Brothers Oliver snatch victory with the last shot of the match!" " JASON:" "Oh, whoa, oh, oh." " (Lee chuckles)" "LEE:" "Missed it!" "Bad luck." "Oh, no!" "JASON:" "My boy!" "(Laughs) NEIL:" "He didn't, did he?" "JASON:" "Oh, yes, he did." "Oh, yes, he did." "(Damien laughs)" " Oh, yes!" "It's not the prettiest shot, but I'll take what I can get." "You're doing that already, aren't you, with that Irishman?" "Ah, here we go." "Who's one of the best trainers in the world, and that's good for Ollie." "It's good for Damien, is it?" "You're his manager - you should know better." "The only one it's ever good for is Dermot Weld." "Vinnie Roe's won every stakes race in Europe." "Don't think for a moment you're even going to get to sit on that horse." "Dermot's got Pat Smullen for Vinnie." " No, for you he's got..." " Media Puzzle." "I know." "The owners want me to ride Vinnie Roe." "I've even spoken to Dermot." "He's fixed on me riding Media Puzzle." "That horse is a dog." "If Dermot's bringing him out, he's no slouch." "That horse sat out all of last year with a broken pelvis!" "He hasn't even qualified, has he?" "We're gonna qualify him at Geelong." "You hope." "Does he always get this mad when he has to buy the beers?" "No, no." "He gets this mad because he always has to buy the beers." "I mean, for all we know," "Media Puzzle will break down as soon as he arrives." "And suddenly Australia's top jockey doesn't have a ride in the Cup." "Yeah, but see, that's not the point." "You've got to be clear, Dave." "You can't be behind-the-door with these people." "I know, boss." "I understand." "No, that's it." "You don't understand." "You're not asking somebody to part with 30,000 euro to bring a horse halfway round the globe." "He's not doing it because he believes in the horse." "He's doing it because he believes in us." "You damn well better make sure his faith is justified." " It will be." " I hope so." "I really do, Dave." "You know?" "I'm relying on you now to communicate exactly... not approximately... exactly my instructions to the handlers and jockeys." "Let them know who's boss." "Until I get there, you're my eyes and ears." "I need to know everything, absolutely everything now." " Is that clear?" " Everything." "OK." "You have a flight to catch." "See you in Australia." "(Horse neighs)" " Now, you take care down there." " Of course." "Do watch out for those Australian women." "Look at your brother Niall." "He went for three weeks." " We haven't seen him since." " They did offer him a good job." "Ha!" "So he says." "You just make sure they don't offer you one." "My job's here with you That's the way I like it" "I hope so." "(Airport announcer speaks Arabic)" "AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER:" "Qantas 7 Melbourne ground." "Taxi freight bay 4." "Godolphin, continue taxi Melbourne freight bay 5." "PILOT:" "Godolphin - freight bay 5." "Ha!" "Niall!" " Thanks." " Hey, brother." " How are you?" " Could be a whole lot worse." " How's the flight?" " Good." "Long." " It's good to see you." " You too." "TV ANCHOR:" "Melbourne Airport's freight terminal was alive with activity, as the first group of international runners for this year's Melbourne Cup touched down in planes from Europe and the Middle-East." "REPORTER: ..three horses from Sheikh Mohammed's" "Godolphin Stables in Dubai, English stayer Jardines Lookout, along with the highly fancied Vinnie Roe and stablemate Media Puzzle, were amongst the group that arrived from Europe." "Donna Demaio." "Melbourne Airport." "What's that?" "That would be Henry, Jardines Lookout's little friend." "Friend?" "Apparently, they're inseparable." "Even sleep together." " How very British." " (Laughs)" " (Media Puzzle snorts)" " Whoa." "Whoa!" "That's one toey horse." " Jet lag?" " Oh, I wish." "Oh, good tucker and a warm stall will soon settle him." "You think so?" "Alright." "Hmm." "This, of course, is the legendary trainer Bart Cummings, 11-time winner of the Melbourne Cup, and, Bart, how do you think Miss Melise will race against these international entries?" "Uh..." "Bit early." "Only just arrived." "The Dermot Welds and the Sheikh Mohammeds make our greatest race even greater." "Got to be good for business." "But how do you rate their chances, Bart?" "Well, they should do well." "We treat 'em like bloody royalty." "Give them their own bloody track." "You got to remember - anything can happen." "It's the Melbourne Cup." "(Horses nickering and neighing)" "(Media Puzzle snorts)" " Morning, boys." " Yeah, g'day, Damien." "Nice to see you, Damien." " (Media Puzzle snorts)" " Whoa, Puzzle." "Steady now." "G'day, Dave." "Welcome back to Melbourne." "Damien." "Good to see you again." "No prize for guessing who this is." " Yeah, I heard he had attitude." " One thing he's not short on." "Yeah, I don't mind that." "Guess you didn't come here for the scenery, did you, mate?" "Good boy." "That's a fella." "How did he go on the trip?" "Oh, he did fine." "Vinnie Roe, now, not so handsome... needs a few more days." "But this one, he's jumping out of his skin, as you can see." "More than ready for a decent blow, I'd say." "Come on, big fella." "Let's see what you got." "Come on." "Come on!" "One can't help wondering what the ghost of the mighty Phar Lap would make of the foreign invasion and the frenzy surrounding the Cup." "Perhaps it's not so different from the days when he was the toast of the nation." " Good morning." " Morning." "(Beep)" "Thirteenth Beach, famous in surfing circles, is trainer George Hanlon's secret weapon for Mr Prudent in the Melbourne Cup." "Oh, I don't know about that." "We're always down here." "The girls like it and it makes a change for the horses too." "REPORTER:" "And what about Mr Prudent?" "(Chuckles) He's too tactful to say, but I think he likes the bikinis." " Felt alright." "NIALL:" "I'd say you're on target." "Better be." "If we don't qualify at Geelong, we're doomed." "The wrath of God is as nothing to when Dermot is roused." "(Door closes)" " Hey, Dame." "How was it?" "Yeah." "Alright." "TV ANCHOR:" "We interrupt this program with more breaking news from Bali." "Oh, my God." "Bali." "TV ANCHOR: ..subsequent fireball had levelled an entire block." "INTERVIEWEE:" "People are burnt everywhere." "There's people dead." "There's everything." "(Man shouting)" "I just don't believe what happened here tonight." "Anyway, ground zero." "REPORTER:" "In Denpasar Hospital, many of those fortunate enough to survive were grieving for those who died in the bomb blast." "Lost my girlfriend, parents." "REPORTERS:" "Dozens of Australians are among the hundreds feared dead." "Panic-stricken families are inundating the Australian embassy in Jakarta for any word on loved ones in Bali." " Yeah, I would be too." "(Report continues)" "Time, gentlemen, please." "Your mounts await." "(Trumpet fanfare, horses neighing)" "JASON:" "Good, thanks." "RACE CALLER:" "Jockeys about to be legged up for race 6." "Lady Avonlea well in the markets." "So too Kazz B." "Along with Cossack Angel and Picture Skew." "About to head out at Belmont for race 6." "RACE CALLER: .." "Miss Domani last one to move into line." "Last horseriders." "And they're just about to do the Belmont, race 6." "Good line." "The outer range underway quickly with Kazz B and also Lady Avonlea." "Rose Of Oakford racing, handy ride by Cossack Angel." "(Hoofs drown speech)" "Kazz B going for the lead." "From the outside, Our Doreen." "It's Cossack Angel, followed by Miss Domani, approaching the turn." "Kazz just in front as Jason Oliver pulls towards the outside on Lady Avonlea." " Here she comes on the outside." "(Cheering)" "Our Doreen." "But Jason Oliver has handled the field on Lady Avonlea." "Ran from the behind and has got up to win." "Lady Avonlea." "Perfect ride by J Oliver." "Got up to win from Kazz B." "And Our Doreen makes a third." "TV ANCHOR:" "Despite burns to over 50% of his body, the North Melbourne star helped friends escape from the burning bar, to await evacuation by the Australian Air Force." "On two occasions, McCartney..." "Me and Jason were in that game last month." "TV ANCHOR: ..he insisted someone else go in his place." "Now, Jason McCartney is back in Australia fighting for his life." "Incredible." "How could anyone be so brave in the middle of that inferno?" "The man's a star." "(Phone rings)" "G'day, Jase." "Nice win, my boy." "How about McCartney?" "Paddy's Bar." "Wasn't that near where you and Trish stayed last year?" "Yeah, yeah." "It's a great spot." "Was there every night." "Hey, listen, Dame, I just want to speak to you about tomorrow." "Now, I know a lot's changed since my days in Geelong, but I'll bet you my bottom dollar that last turn hasn't." "Far as I know." "See, the thing is, if you're not up front with the leaders on that last turn, you might as well ride him straight back to the stalls." " What, is that it?" " Yeah, that's it." "'Cause if you blow it, you'll be making 5% of bugger all, watching the Cup from an armchair like the rest of us." "CALLER:" "Candidates are parading now for the big one today, the Geelong Cup runners in the mounting yard for the 2002 Geelong Cup." "And jockeys are about to mount up." "We have 2 riding changes... (Media Puzzle squeals, snorts)" "He's not short on spirit- that's for sure." "Has he got anything left?" "At least you know he's got plenty of kick in him." "You'll need it when you make your move on the home straight." " No way." " What?" " This is my home track." " And?" "If Damien waits till the home straight to make his move, he'll be looking at a wall of ten horses wide." "I've seen it too many times." "That's the short straight." "If a hole doesn't open on the rail, he'll have to swing wide, and, by then, it's too late." "Well, you know, that mightn't be the way Dermot sees it." "If it's any consolation, my brother raced here a fair bit." "He says the same thing." "You... you do realise what you'd be asking of me." "Mm." "That I do, brother." "To go against Dermot's orders." "Just a whisker." " If I alter his instructions..." " And do anything but win..." "Mate, you'd be fired?" "That wouldn't be very Irish, Damien." "Far too merciful." "(Phone rings)" " That'll be him." "Look, Dermot will keep him on." "I've no doubt about that." "I also know for the rest of his days, Dermot will have him with the worst horses at every two-bit pitch-and-toss meeting in Ireland." "In the dead of winter." "DAVE:" "Guess what." "He wants you to fall off the pace as soon as possible and don't make a move until the home straight." "Righto." "RACE CALLER:" "Jockeys are up." "Field's about to parade now, ladies and gentlemen." "Cyclades, the top-placed from New Zealand..." "So, what's it gonna be?" "We really going with Dermot's instructions?" "(Chuckles) Good on you, mate." "Now we're playing Aussie Rules." "(Phone rings)" " Yep?" " We're ready to race." "And Damien understands our strategy?" "One hundred per cent." "CALLER:" "Old Tawny into the outside gate." "We're set for a start." "They've jumped at a good line." "National Treasure came out quickly on the inside..." "Clean break." "We're in good shape." "Is he falling off the pace?" "Not yet." "They're coming down the straight for the first time." "Then comes next Media Puzzle, over on the outside..." "DERMOT:" "He was supposed to fall off the pace at the very start." " You told him that, right?" " I swear to God." "They're into the first turn." " How far has he fallen back?" " He's..." " ..fifth or sixth." " Oh, God damn it!" "He's not happy." "I'll get you a job over here." "Honest, boss I did tell Damien your instructions were to drop back as quickly as he could." "He'll drop back alright, yeah." "As soon as he sees the finish line." "Come on, big fella." "CALLER:" "L'Avenir in front, leading by eight lengths to Lightuma." "Two lengths third is Freegold, followed by Southern Crown." "One and a half Requiem." "Two away then was Media Puzzle..." "Tell me I didn't just hear that" "Unfortunately, you did." "David, didn't I tell you how difficult it is to convince an owner to bring a horse halfway around the world?" " But, Dermot..." " I told you!" "It's not the money." "It's the confidence, in me!" "In you." "CALLER: ..by six or seven lengths to Lightuma." "Two away, third Freegold, Southern Crown, then Media Puzzle one and a half from the back followed by Piachay, and L'Avenir..." "NIALL:" "He's there." "He's there!" " He could be." "Now they jam up, followed by Media Puzzle..." "Media Puzzle's battling for first!" "Forlorna making a run with Piachay." "And further back..." "He's taken the lead!" "He's pulling away!" "And it's Media Puzzle..." "Come on!" "Piachay's starting to give chase." "Come on, Damien!" "Come on!" "Yes!" "He's flying down the straight!" "(Muffled) He's gonna win it for us!" "Yes!" " Piachay, Southern Crown..." " Yes!" " Old Tawny from back..." "(Both cheer)" " But it's Media Puzzle..." " You're in the Cup, my boy." "Media Puzzle wins by three lengths." "Oh, Damien, you little champion!" "DAVE:" "Did you hear that?" "A new track record!" "Confidence, Dave." "Like I said, it's all about confidence." "I just hope those Irish appreciate what they've got." "Well done, mate." "Fan-bloody-tastic." "Couldn't have done it without you, Jase." "Your tip made all the difference." "Looks like you owe me that bottom dollar." "(Chuckles) It's yours, my boy." "Jason, Dave again." "He's going in." "TV ANCHOR:" "High spirits in the Irish camp, following Media Puzzle's runaway victory." "Next week's Melbourne Cup was shaping up as a two-horse race between Weld's Vinnie Roe and Pugin, the standard bearer of Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin Stables." "But now the Irish Wizard may well have the upper hand, as he readies not one but two formidable entries for next week's Cup." "REPORTER:" "But nothing can detract from the horrors of Bali." "All Australia is in mourning." "Melbourne's Spring Street was awash with flowers." "They may not have known the Bali victims, but for many Australians there is a deep connection... the fact that so many died so close to home." "May I remind you all this is a barrier trial?" "Now, it might sound odd, gentlemen, but the point of this exercise is to get horses that have never been near a starting gate and to actually get them inside one." "When that happens, if that happens, we might even show 'em how to start." "Easy, easy, easy, easy..." "Whoa, whoa, whoa." "Last horse in." "33-year-old male jockey." "Horse came down on him." "Unresponsive at scene." "Vitals unstable." "Andy, you're on airway breathing" "Elly, you take circulation." "And call the CT scanner and tell him we'll be down soon." "We started two 16-gauge IVs with saline, but we were unable to intubate him in the field due to his unstable neck." "Right." "Transferring on three." "One, two, three." "He arrived 30 minutes ago." "The best doctors are working on him." "This way." "Just through here." "Here." "Let me take your bag." "But surely..." "If he's breathing?" "Mrs Oliver, these machines can keep his body alive, but his spirit's already left us." "(Sobs)" "Oh!" "Oh, such a brave boy you are, Damien." "Such brave boys." "So, Doctor, what's that in English?" "Can we just pull over here, mate?" "You right?" "Yeah, I'm OK." "I just need a second." "(Sobs)" "REPORTER:" "Damien!" "OFFICER:" "Excuse us." "Thank you." "REPORTERS:" "How's your brother doing?" "Will he be able to ride again?" "Oh, Dame." "Mum, come here, come here, come here." "It's OK." "It's OK, alright?" "They're doing everything they can." "Alright?" "They're pretty clever these days." "(Cardiac monitor beeps, ventilator pumps)" "TV ANCHOR:" "Today's accident must be devastating for Pat Oliver, Damien's mother." "Her husband, Ray, one of Western Australia's most popular jockeys, suffered an horrific fall 27 years ago." "Rushed to hospital, Ray Oliver never regained consciousness and died shortly after, leaving Pat the widowed mother of Jason, then five, and three-year-old Damien." "Today's events will undoubtedly have a dramatic effect on next week's Melbourne Cup, where Damien Oliver has been booked to ride Media Puzzle for Irish trainer Dermot Weld." "It's hard to believe it won't affect him." "Oh, it will affect him." "There's a family history." "It's all very sad." "So, what are you going to do?" "Cup's only seven days away." "(Phone rings)" "Yes?" "OK, put him through." "Yes." "Well, you can tell your readers that I've been waiting for the best part of a decade for next Tuesday, but that right now that poor, grieving family is my only priority." "No, I have not." "Damien Oliver has been hand-picked for this ride and I have total and absolute confidence in him." "These procedures have been known to work in some cases." "However, with the failure of the third attempt," "I'm terribly sorry, but we have to accept the inevitable." "Would it be alright if they had some time alone with him?" "Yes, of course." "Nurse?" "Thanks, mate." "I'll be outside." "(Sobs) Jason." "They wouldn't let me in." "It's crazy." "I've been out of town for work." "How is he?" "You want to come with me." "I don't know how to tell you this..." "(Sobs)" "(Weeps) No..." "DAMIEN:" "Jase?" "I don't know how much of this you're going to get... but I couldn't have wished for a better brother." "And I forgive you for smashing my nose with that cricket ball when we were little." "I'm sorry for all the dirty tricks I played on you." "I even forgive you for laughing your head off when I fell in my first Melbourne Cup" "Took a few years, but... now even I can see the funny side." "Don't worry about Mum and Nan." "And I'll see that Jenny's OK." "Just make sure you do the right thing up there." "And remember that you'll be riding with me always." "PAT:" "I thought about not letting them race." "But as I watched them grow up, all they wanted to do was be like you." "How could anyone stop two boys so determined to be like their father?" "Now, I have no-one left to turn to." "Oh!" "I'm about to lose our Jason." "And you're the only one that can help." "(Cardiac monitor beeps)" "PAT:" "I raised him on my own." "Now it's your turn, Ray... (Beeping changes pitch) to love him... and to look after him." "(Beeping changes pitch)" "(Pat weeps)" "Ladies and gentlemen..." "Jason Oliver has passed away peacefully tonight." "His mother, Pat, and brother, Damien, would like to thank the people of Australia for their prayers and kind wishes at this terrible time." "As you can imagine," "Jason's death is a tragic loss to the family." "Now, I know you've all got a job to do, but right now Damien has made no decision regarding next week's Cup." "His family is his highest priority." "So, I would ask of you - all of you... please respect their privacy." "Thank you very much." " Dermot, a few questions?" " Any decision on Damien Oliver?" "Yeah, what's happening with Damien?" "Gentlemen, as you know, I've been in the air almost a day, so I'll be of no value until I talk with my team, OK?" "Is it true the ride's off?" "You're saying you have no idea if Damien will ride in the Cup?" "Covey!" "Hello again." "How are you?" "Looking as fit as ever." "Oh, thanks, Dermot." "Can I ask if you're going to change" "Media Puzzle's tactics for the Cup?" "Your race plan worked brilliantly at Geelong." " Mmmm." " But the Cup's a longer race." "Covey, if I was to tell you how I was going to beat the field, they'd use it against me, wouldn't they?" "Dermot, some of the other jockeys you are considering?" "There are none." "Come on." "Dermot Weld always has a backup plan." "When will you speak to Damien?" "Let's get one thing straight." "We're talking about a grieving family, one that has suffered a tragic loss." "The Melbourne Cup - it's only a horserace." "(Chuckles) Crafty dog." "Damien Oliver will remain as our jockey until he notifies us otherwise." " And pigs might ﬂy." " But the decision is Damien's." "And no matter what choice he makes, everyone in my organisation stands behind him, and supports him and his family 100%." "OK, thanks." "He's right." "Melbourne Cups don't mean a thing." "I'd give it all away just to have Jase back." "Dame, you know I'd never ask you to give it up." "I know what it means." "And despite everything that this family's gone through," "I'd never ask that." "I would." "I wouldn't ask, actually - I'd demand." "It's gotta stop." "When will it be time to pull the plug?" "When they're all gone?" "Come on, Jen." "This is what we do." "What you do is compete in the most dangerous sport in the world, and it's killing you." "Yeah, we know it's dangerous." "That's part of it." "Look, I'm sure it's terrific fun hanging onto half a tonne of wound-up horseflesh." "The cheering crowds, the huge buzz when you win." "Who worries about the risks?" "Yeah, there's a bit of that." "Your dad." "Now Jason." "When is it going to be your turn?" "You know, every time Jason raced, I was a mess." "It will be even worse for you now that Damien's the only one left." "When is it going to be Trish's turn to play the stoic widow?" "What's wrong with you?" "Don't you even care?" "His track work's much better." "Hasn't touched his feed today, though." "Didn't fancy your muesli this morning, Vinnie?" "Let's see." "Well." "I'm not surprised." "Presentation. (Sniffs) Mmm!" "Much nicer." "Out." "Bingo." "(Mobile rings)" "Damien." "Listen, how are you?" "I'm terribly sorry." "Thanks for giving us a call." "We thought we might've lost you." "I'm not so sure you haven't." "Look, I'll be back in Melbourne tonight." "Got a lot to sort out." "Could you give me some more time?" "As much as you need." "That's great." "Thanks." "Listen, this is your call, OK?" "I'm not going to hold you to anything." "Big maniac of a horse will miss you." "We all will." "You've got something very special, Damien." "But your heart has got to be in it, you know?" "So, like I say, it's your call." "You only need to look at Pugin to realise why Frankie Dettori is regarded as one of the world's greatest jockeys." "Dettori, who only arrived in Melbourne yesterday, is best remembered for that magnificent seven... that glorious afternoon at Royal Ascot when he won every race on the card." "Tony Jones." "National Nine News." "It's like some family curse." "First Dad, now Jase." "I know you don't believe that." "What would happen to you if I went as well?" " Damien!" " I could." "Easy." "And they say stuff happens in threes." "Yeah?" "Well, I'm prepared to take my chances." "Yeah, well, maybe Jenny's right." "Why don't I just chuck it in while I'm still in one piece?" "At least then I wouldn't have to... get up at 4 am every bloody day." "Starve myself half to death every bloody day." "Work my guts out every day." "For what?" "For a start, it's in your blood." "You also happen to be one of the best." "I don't think you'd forgive yourself if you didn't ride." "I'm not so sure." "If the spark's gone, what's the point?" "Maybe the spark's just dimmed a little." "It would be amazing if it hasn't." "I've seen blokes on top of their game." "Everything's a breeze - they can't do anything wrong." "Amazing moves." "Right on the money every time, no matter what." "It's like they're blessed." "And then, for some reason, they just lose it." "No matter how hard they try... or maybe because they try too hard... they never get it back." "Never ever." "What if that's happened to me?" "If I've lost my confidence," "I'll be a danger to myself and everyone else." "You haven't." "You're not falling apart, and your family's not cursed." "What you have lost is your amazing best mate of a brother." "I can only imagine how dreadful that must feel, but I know you'll get through it." "Maybe." "Take your time." "Any word from Damien?" "Not yet." "Five days." "Five days till the big day." "And we've lost our jockey." "Or perhaps worse, we're carrying one who's so grief-stricken he doesn't know whether he's coming or going." "Damien has an amazing affinity with this fellow." "Even if we got a top replacement," "I'm not sure we'd be any better off." "Hmm." "Remember '93, Dave?" "Vintage Crop, what we were up against?" "Well, we showed them then, and we'll show them again." "We've got two brave horses, and they know it." "When this race turns for home, they'll be in the thick of it." "I know that." "I also know this is one very special horse." "The Irish Wizard." "Ah, Saeed." " Good to see you." " You too, my friend." "Thanks." "From what the boys tell me, your trio's in fine form." "Well, they should know." "How are yours?" "You're saying you don't know?" "You tell me." "What about Damien?" "That's something we don't know." "Nothing to worry yourself about." " Trish?" " Hi, Lee." " How are you?" " Yeah, I'm good." "Glad you could make it." "Looking well." "Yeah." "That's what a week away from riding can do." "You know what they say about getting back in the saddle." "Hey, listen." "This is Trish's idea." "I really don't know." "I'm not sure I can even get on a horse." "No." "We'll take this one step at a time, OK?" "You sleep in tomorrow." "Things will look a lot better in the morning." "We'll get you a good breakfast, get you saddled up, then I'll teach you a thing or two about riding a horse." "(Damien laughs)" "Hey." "Hey." "That's a boy." "See, that didn't hurt, did it?" "Feels surprisingly good, then this isn't Media Puzzle." "So far so good." "Looks as fit as a fiddle." "No doubt about his ability." "Looked good." "How did it feel?" "Yeah, OK." "I'm not really sure." "It's not just the Cup." "I've got 12 rides booked before then." "I just can't stand the idea of going out there not doing my best, and people still cheering me on for the wrong reasons." "Look, Dame, I just want you to know I'm here for you." "I love you, and I'll support whatever you decide to do." "What do you reckon, Pins?" "Ollie, you just have to ask yourself, what would Jase want you to do?" "Hey, shh." "Hey." "Hey..." "Come here, come here." "Shh." "What do you reckon, big fella?" "What, you think I've given up on you?" "No way, mate." "We'll show 'em." "Jase wouldn't want us sitting around on our arses sulking, that's for sure." "Made your mind up?" "Yep." "Haven't we?" "And Hydrometer is joined by Davidoff." "Damien Oliver going for two straight derbies, but there are challengers galore." "Here comes Diamond Jake down the outside, and Helenus is coming on." "Go, Ollie!" "Down 150m to go." "Hydrometer kicking well." "Helenus is coming after him." "Ain't Here is joining in." "And Davidoff..." " Come on, Damien!" "(Crowd cheering)" "Helenus coming at him." "Helenus, Hydrometer, they hit the line." "Photo finish." "Helenus or Hydrometer." "Ain't Here has run third." "And then Maskerado, Diamond Jake, Davidoff." "Damien gave him every chance, but he weakens out late." "Rubitano has the flat side well beaten." "Oh, he's in front overall." "And it's the Newmarket winner, Rubitano, who scores," "Intelligent Star second, Cosmic Strike third." "Damien Oliver on Chong Tong - never a hope." "Do you think he made the right decision?" "By the grace of God." " Good one, mate." " Good on you, mate." "CALLER:" "And he soon after took the lead." "Lord Volksraad has a real fight on his hands." "Delago Brom coming home the better on the outside." "And it's Delago Brom who beats Lord Volksraad." "Charlie Bub third." "And Ollie on True Glo, back at the tail." "It's just not his day." "Excuse me." "That's seven losses on seven top horses." "He couldn't even get a place." "DERMOT:" "All very true." "SMURFIT:" "Surely enough's enough." "We have to replace him." "Not necessarily." "He's actually riding very well." "SMURFIT:" "All I know is he's not winning." "I put a lot of money into this venture already." "I'm the owner and I say he goes." "Well, I'm the trainer and I say he stays." "The man and the horse are champions." "That has to add up to something." "Both with huge problems." "We don't know if the horse will go the distance." "The jockey's paralyzed with grief." "DERMOT:" "He's still our best option." "SMURFIT:" "Dermot, I've always backed your decisions." "Are you sure we shouldn't reconsider?" "Yes, I am." "Don't forget Geelong." "He's not the same man who won at Geelong." "I believe he's the only man to ride that horse in the Cup." "And if it means risking the copious amounts of money you've given me to prove it, I'm prepared to do that." "LEE:" "Whole day was one big blur, wasn't it?" "I've had better." "Nice to win the ones he hasn't won." "You know?" "(Reporters chuckle)" " There's not many, you know?" "I mean, nothing compares with the Melbourne Cup, you know?" "It's a breed of horse race that has no equal, which is why, of course, it attracts the very best." "Australia has more race courses than Ireland, England," "United States and Canada combined, you know?" "I mean, that's a fact." "It makes it pretty special, doesn't it?" "Thanks." "Hello, Bart." "Ladies and gentlemen, would you take your seats, please?" " We all here?" " Everyone except Damien." "Well, he's entitled to run late." "Seven rides is a big day for anyone." "And in case you don't know it, they were damn fine rides." "Just wasn't his day." "Ladies and gentlemen, good evening, and welcome to the barrier draw for the running of the 2002 Melbourne Cup." "And the first to draw tonight is the trainer of the top weight in Vinnie Roe..." "Mr Dermot Weld." "The luck of the Irish, as Vinnie Roe comes out at barrier No.7." " Good one, mate." " That's great." "And now it's time for the Cups king himself... 11-time Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Bart Cummings, who'll do the honours for Miss Melise." "(Applause)" "Oh, I know that look." "I've seen that before." "Not on you, though." "On your brother." "The day I had to let him go." "So, anyway, I'm sacking Jason, I'm sending him back to Perth, and you know what he does?" "He's a cheeky bugger." "He asks me for a favour." "Now, most guys will ask for a bit of extra pocket money or others will beg for a second chance but not Jason." "He tells me about his younger brother, just starting out." "You couldn't have been 16, but even then Jason knew that you were going to be a better jockey than him... or your father or your grandfather... better than they ever dreamed of being." "You know what he told me?" "He said, 'One day, my brother will be a champion.'" "Well, that day, my friend, was today." " Lee..." " Don't take my word for it." "You ask anybody in these stands today." "And I'll tell you, as one horseman to another, that sometimes being a champion isn't about winning." "It's about gutsing it out." "It's about what you did today." "Saeed bin Suroor will now choose for the Godolphin's third entry, Pugin." "(Applause)" " Better choose me a good one!" "(Laughter)" "Need I mention it, that Frankie Dettori is riding Pugin." "(Laughter)" "Not this one." "No." "Not this one." "That's..." "No." "One." "That's the one." " That's the one." "(Laughter)" "And Pugin will start from barrier 15." "(Applause)" "Thank you." "Thank you." "Well, who will do the honours for Media Puzzle, Mr Weld?" "Your turn." "Don't do this to me." "Pick him a nice one." "You pay me to look after your horses, not choose their gates." "David, today you'll do both." "Excuse me." "It looks like travelling foreman for the Weld stable," "Dave Phillips, has that honour." "(Applause)" "And Media Puzzle has drawn barrier 3." "(Audience murmurs)" "So I tell him..." "I say, 'You know, you'd better get me a good one or else.'" "And look at it." "But you never cross an Italian." "I mean, even the small ones like me. (Laughs)" "People say that closer to the rails is better, but..." "I mean, you know this track." "It's 1.000 m straight from the gate." "So, starting at 23, 24, you know, it's not the end of the world." "That's what they say, though I know where I'd rather be." "(Chuckles)" "You did good, mate." "Much obliged." "Damien, I don't know how to..." "Last year, Niall and I, well, our sister died." "No warning." "Never sick." "Just gone." "What that's done to our family, maybe you can understand." "So, when Dermot told me we were coming back to Australia," "I decided to devote all my efforts, all my energies, to winning the Cup for Veronica." "If you like, to honour her memory." "That good gate I got you wasn't just the luck of the draw, you know?" "Someone I love dearly helped me to do what I couldn't do myself, which is why, on Tuesday, when you race for the Cup," "I don't believe you'll be riding alone." "You two have been making race plans without me again?" "It worked at Geelong." "Are you OK?" "Yeah." "You've been to Ireland, Damien." "You know, the rare sunny day always punctures a long stretch of damp and darkness." "I know, on Tuesday, you're the one who can get the most out of my horse." "I've seen how he responds to you." "Between the two of you, you can do it." "Thanks, Dermot." "Welcome back to The Coodabeen Champions." "This Cup eve edition, we start to put together this jigsaw puzzle that is this year's Melbourne Cup." "It's interesting you talk puzzle, Richo, because" "I have not deviated from backing Media Puzzle." "I've supported it right through." "Saw it win at Geelong." " Spoke to Damien afterwards." " What did he say?" " Can't tell you that." " Then, why tell us?" " Well, I can't." " Should've spoken to Dermot." "Well, I've spoken to him too." "I went out to the airport, saw him on arrival." " Me and Dermot are like that." " Well, what did he say?" "'Can you take my bags up to room 732, laddie?" "'" "Whatever he told you, he'd do the opposite." "For goodness sake, spit it out." "What did he tell you?" " Well, I can't tell you." "BOTH:" "Why not?" "Because the laws of libel prevent me." "ALL:" "Oh." "Not surprised to find you here." "Nor you." "It's never easy." "I'll never forget the first time." " '93?" " Yeah." "Real or imaginary problems?" "All anyone remembers is that we won." "They don't realise that anything that could go wrong with that horse did go wrong." "How wrong?" "Vintage Crop had an inflamed sacroiliac." "He won a two-miler with a bad back?" "And ulcers." "And he hadn't travelled well." "Getting him to the starting gate was a victory in itself." "And still, after all that, every time I come back to race for the Cup, they treat me like I'm a cat burglar." "(Chuckles) I know what you mean." "Hmm." "Remember Phar Lap?" "Years ago?" "One of the greatest." "Right up there with Seabiscuit, Secretariat." "Didn't know how to lose." "Everybody knows about Phar Lap." "Yeah, but not the politics." "His owner was a working-class trainer." "Wrong side of the tracks, you know?" "His other owner was an American Jew." "In those days, it was a little bit too much for the old boys who controlled racing, so they weighed him down so heavily, he couldn't win." "1931 Cup," "Phar Lap carried 15 kg more than Vinnie's top weight tomorrow." " Fifteen kilos?" " Yep." "I guess we're a little bit like Phar Lap's connections, Saeed." "They want us here." "They want the prestige we bring." "But they definitely don't want us to win." "It's more than just a prize to them." "It's who they are." "Come to these shores to race for the Cup, you're up against more than 20 trainers." "You're up against the whole of Australia." "(Door opens)" "There's someone to see you." "Hey, g'day." "You're not lost, are you?" "(Chuckles) Nah." "I just thought I'd drop in." "I'm a big fan, even though you play for North." "You almost knocked us out of the finals." "Yeah." "I was there at the game with my brother." "Yeah, I heard about the accident." "I'm really sorry, mate." "The only good thing is it happened so fast, he never knew what hit him." "But, hey, I'm here to see you." "Mate, that Bali business - you were amazing." "No." "I didn't really have time to think, you know?" "Chaos all around." "Like a game of footy, really." "Yeah, but..." "Pulling people out?" "Diving back in for more?" "Anyone would have done the same." "I just knew I had to keep going." "TV ANCHOR:" "With the October 12 Bali bombings," "Australians were shaken..." "Hey." "How did you go?" "Yeah." "It was good." "This came from your mum." ""Dame, you'll be needing these." "Love, Mum."" "Oh, wow." "That's pretty special." "Yep." "Come here." "♪ TOPLOADER:" "Time Of My Life" "REPORTER:" "Welcome to famous Flemington, where we await an international audience of around 700 million as 170 countries and territories marvel at the race that stops this nation." "♪ Sitting in the summer sun ♪ Biding my time" "♪ Waiting for the demons ♪ to go away" "♪ No-one knows when they come ♪ or when they're gonna go away" "♪ As long as they do we're OK" "♪ Yes, we're alright" "♪ 'Cause I had the time of my life... ♪" "I'll take $50 on the nose for Miss Melise." "Give me $100 each way on Pugin and $5 on Damien." "Should have a couple on Dame too." "Yeah." "Reckon he could use a break." "♪ Yeah, yeah" "♪ Ooh" "♪ Yeah, yeah" "♪ It's alright ♪ Yeah" "♪ It's alright It's alright ♪" "RACE CALLER:" "..but it's Toast of the Coast." "Oliver's kicked him forward from an outside gate and has the lead but Tarcoola Diamond's coming at him..." "Tight on Damien, and take 6." "CALLER: ..a length in front of Toast Of The Coast, who can't go on." "It's You is flashing home." "But it's Tarcoola Diamond who wins." "It's You got up for second." "Joy Of Flight third." "Ollie's Toast Of The Coast dropped out late in the race." "And then Shot At The Title and Pomme De Here." "Then followed by Light Of Day and It's Fuji Beauty." "And Damien Oliver's terrible run continues." "His fifth ride today, finishing in fourth place." "In all 12 races on well-fancied mounts since his return on Derby Day," "Damien Oliver has finished no better than fourth." "Unusually, he's spent more time than normal for him on rides towards the rear of the field." "Our hearts go out to this champion." "You realise this is Damien's 13th ride and believe it or not- his 13th Melbourne Cup." "It makes you think, doesn't it?" "I'd say anything would help." "Next up, the event we've all been waiting for... the running of the 142nd Melbourne Cup." "So, we're there in Paris and Marienbard is..." "Oh, he's going really excellent." "The Arc is almost mine." "But it's still a long way to the finish." "And here comes Sulamani on the outside." "He finds another kick." "And I'm searching for the line, you know?" ""Where is the line?" "Where is the line?" "Where is the line?"" "And I..." "I tell you it later." "Bit of a rough one, eh, Ollie?" "Yep." "Anyway, glad you made it." "It wouldn't be the same without you." "Cheers, Macca." "FRANKIE:" "Come on." "I show you the way home, huh?" "Riders, please." "Gentlemen, I don't need to tell you that this is a big race." "The stakes are high." "Prize money of $4 million." "But that doesn't mean that the usual rules don't apply and you can get away with anything silly." "There will be no leniency for careless riding." "Penalties will be severe." "Now, as you know, the object is to ensure a fair go for all riders and horses, which in turn means a fair go for punters all over the world." "You all know the rules and we're relying on you to do the right thing." "So, good luck to you all." "And safe riding." "ALL:" "Thank you, sir." " Damien." " G'day, Pat." "I've been wanting to talk with you." "Yeah." "It's as simple as this the Cup is won or lost in the turns." "No, I mean about what happened last week." "We race differently to you guys in Europe." "There the tracks are wider." "Things develop more slowly." "Here, you make your move in the straight, watch your back in the turns." " Got it?" " I have, Damien." "Thanks." "Good." "Because once things start to bunch up, the gloves are off." "There's nothing us Aussie boys love more than a bit of rough and tumble." " (Chuckles)" " Good luck." "SPORTSCASTER:" "It's as busy as Bourke Street here, and there's a hive of activity here in the mounting yard... colour and, as I said, a lot of nervous tension." "There still is, of course, the big question mark how a lot of the international horses may handle this track that we've got here today." "The toppy, Vinnie Roe, and what an exciting horse." "He came across here..." "Thank you, gentlemen!" "Mount up, please!" "The stable, that wouldn't be in the same event as he... he has got so much ability and he's such a better horse." "But bottom line is he still has to carry the top weight of 59." "He's got Patrick Smullen on board." "The interesting runner is Media Puzzle, the second of Dermot Weld's chances." "Boy, didn't he win that Geelong Cup with authority?" "He broke the track record." "With Damien Oliver on board, wouldn't we love a win from Ollie and Media Puzzle?" "SPORTSCASTER:" "Any minute now they'll be making their way to the start." "Here, love." "Park yourself on that." "Will the European invaders steal the Cup, or can the legendary trainers..." "Go on help yourselves." "SPORTSCASTER:" "And imagine the scenes should champion jockey Damien Oliver salute." "They're heading for the track, and take... 10." "RACE CALLER:" "Ladies and gentlemen, the Victoria Racing Club presents the 142nd running of the Tooheys New Melbourne Cup." "The field is being led out by Vinnie Roe, prepared by Dermot Weld, ridden by Patrick Smullen." "Comes across as Europe's champion stayer." "No.1 is Vinnie Roe." "Vinnie Roe at $5.50." "Who wants him now?" "Place your bets here." "Here you go. $20 to win." "Media Puzzle." "Vinnie Roe will start favourite in this year's Melbourne Cup, and a firm favourite, too, at $5.50." "There's been very good late support for Pugin." "He's firmed in from $10 to $8.50." "And also Beekeeper, who has firmed from $10 to $9." "RACE CALLER:" "No.9 Pugin." "(Applause)" "Ridden by Frankie Dettori." "SPORTSCASTER:" "In a blaze of sunshine, the horses take to the track." "Could this be Godolphin's year?" "There are many who think so." "No.14 Media Puzzle!" "Damien Oliver!" "(Cheering and applause)" "You show 'em, mate." "Show 'em what we're made of." "Fifteen Mr Prudent." "Corey Brown." "BOTH:" "Oops." "DERMOT:" "Sorry." " I demand a stewards' inquiry." " (Chuckles)" "When my horses win, it will be done in a manner completely free of controversy." " Good luck, Saeed." " Good luck to you, Dermot Weld." "But this time I think you need it more than Godolphin." " Has it started?" " No, no." "Not yet." " You haven't missed a thing." " Hello." "(Gasps) Is that Veronica?" "Oh, yeah, it is." "She'd have loved this." "SPORTSCASTER:" "Have the local battlers got enough in the tank to foil the international raiders?" "Miss Melise could be the dark horse of the field and she's trained by Cups king Bart..." "Bit more right." "Bit more." "Getting there." "Yeah, that's good." "It's good." "OK, fellas, lucky dip." "Go." "MAN:" "I got Media Puzzle!" "MAN 2:" "What have you got, mate?" "(Men chat and chuckle)" "COMMENTATOR: ..but he says it's anybody's race." "Other experts say it's between Dermot Weld's entries and the highly credentialed Godolphins." "Both have performed well in lead-up events and they look in great shape." "(Sheep bleat)" "Sevens or eights on Pugin." "Eights that's value." "Eights on Pugin." "And seven on Media Puzzle." "Come on, who wants Damien?" " Sounds good." " Ten, Vinnie." "Give me 20." "Twenty on Vinnie Roe." "No worries." "What else have you got?" " Twenty on Damien." " Twenty on Damien." "Very good." "(Speaks French)" "OK, riders, time to go." "RACE CALLER:" "Starter's calling them up now for the Tooheys New Melbourne Cup." "The field is getting set." "It's English raider Jardines Lookout coming to a gate near the outside." "The Saab winner, Requiem, comes in." "Rain Gauge and Mr Prudent just in." "Just another day at the beach, mate." "You'll be just fine." "Damien Oliver brings Media Puzzle in." "And Vinnie Roe, the horse who's been backed into favouritism on track, comes up." "Easy, there." "That's right." "Patrick Smullen and Dermot Weld." " Now here's Sandmason coming..." " Righto, Cathy." "Close race 7." "The field is nearly ready." "Pugin is coming into a place next to Rain Gauge." "And they're just about ready." "(Horse shrieks)" "RACE CALLER:" "Trying to get over the front of the barrier stalls there," "Helene Vitality." "It's alright, mate." "He's just trying to get the jump on us." "RACE CALLER:" "Helene Vitality settles." "Starter to the ladder." "And they're about to go." "Alright, buddy." "This one's for Jase." "Racing." "Helene Vitality a little slow." "Distinctly Secret got out quickly." "So did Prized Gem." "Thong Classic near the outside." "Victory Smile and Daliapour into stride fast." "Vinnie Roe's getting across to be just behind the leading bunch," "Media Puzzle ahead of him." "Settling down now." "Racing up on the 2.800 m mark." "Daliapour on the inside and Victory Smile are the leaders." "Wider out, Sandmason going on." "Requiem just inside him." "And then followed by Hatha Anna on the improve on the outside." "Damien has Media Puzzle behind the speed, closely followed by Cyclades." "Pugin's going up wide, too, around County Tyrone, and then followed by Vinnie Roe." "Helene Vitality from the outside, and then Pentastic," "Distinctly Secret, Mr Prudent... (Hoofs thundering)" "Media Puzzle's in good shape." "So is Vinnie." "And everyone else." "Then Rain Gauge and Freemason three lengths away." "Out of the straight." "Sandmason may claim the Cup." "A length and a half clear." "Hatha Anna second." "Pugin next, travelling three deep." "Damien has Media Puzzle... (Hoofs thundering)" "DERMOT:" "It's almost time." " Time for what?" "For Godolphins to show their hand." "RACE CALLER:" "And Godolphins on the move." "Sandmason led narrowly." "Hatha Anna's up to second now." "Dettori has Pugin just behind them." "Vinnie Roe is making a move." "Media Puzzle next, with Victory Smile on his inside, about midfield." "Then followed by Pentastic, Thong Classic." "Jardines Lookout is well back and so is Hail." "(Thundering hoofs)" "Beekeeper's covering some ground and so too Mr Prudent, but Damien Oliver's giving Media Puzzle a charmed run in behind the pace, which was set by Sandmason." "Come on, big fella." "Come on!" "(Thundering hoofs) a fast-run Melbourne Cup." "Pugin is third." "Will one of them go after him?" "Not Damien or our Pat." "Those two know better than to go chasing rabbits." "They've been warned." "Followed by Pentastic." "Distinctly Secret, Mr Prudent," "County Tyrone, then followed by Media Puzzle outside Victory Smile, and then Thong Classic." "Hatha Anna has dashed to the front now for Godolphin by three." "In second placing Sandmason, then Pugin." "Then Beekeeper." "He's followed by Pentastic." "Vinnie Roe's gone up to fourth, followed by Daliapour, as they come to the home turn." "Let's see what he's got, Pat." "Media Puzzle's working into it for Ollie." " Yes!" "Yes!" " .." "And Beekeeper's coming." "They're followed by Mr Prudent as they twist the corner." "Now, boys, now!" "And now Media Puzzle." "Damien's winding him up." "Media Puzzle and Vinnie Roe neck and neck." "Come on there, boys!" "You're both in it!" "The two great Irish gallopers are coming." "But so too wide out now Beekeeper and Mr Prudent." "One of them's going to do it!" "Still there's nothing between them!" "What a finish!" "Passing the 350." "Damien Oliver sends Media Puzzle to the lead, ahead of Vinnie Roe, who can't find." "Back behind them - Beekeeper and Mr Prudent." "But Damien Oliver, riding with the spirit of Jason..." "BOTH:" "Oh!" "Oh!" "Oh!" "I think he's got the Cup won." "(Loud cheering)" " Yes!" "Come on!" "BOTH:" "Yes!" "Yes!" "Yes!" "But it's Media Puzzle clear, and Media Puzzle!" "Damien and Dermot have done it." "(Crowd roars)" " Oh!" "Magnificent, Dermot!" "Yeah!" "Good boy!" "My boy!" "Yes!" "(Cheering)" "RACE CALLER:" "And then Victory Smile." "Helene Vitality." "Pugin and Hatha Anna at the tail, with Sandmason." "And Requiem is one of the last." "It will be the most emotion-charged Melbourne Cup reception in history." "(Applause)" " Damien Oliver has done it." "The riders in the stand were with him every step of the way." "ALL:" "Yes!" "Sometimes I think you're the devil himself!" "Good on you, mate." "Good on you." "Eh?" "(Applause)" "For Damien!" "For us!" "For everyone!" "Yeah, I know, I know." "Media Puzzle!" "Who would have thought it?" "I thought the turns were supposed to be the key to winning this race." "Australia's top jockey once told me so." "But today, I lost it on the straight." " Way to bring him home, matey." " Thanks, Pat." " Magnifico, Damien." " Hey." "No-one could beat you today, huh?" "The saints, I think, they would not allow it." "Thanks, Frankie." "Ollie." "Hey." "Another 20 yards, you would have had me." " Not with him riding with you." " Good on you, mate." "Cheers." "Ladies and gentlemen, I don't think there's ever been a more popular Melbourne Cup winner..." "No.14, Media Puzzle, ridden by Damien Oliver." "I Majestic music" "RACE CALLER:" "Everyone at Flemington was riding with you, Damien." "A supercharged ride." "And the Irish wizard, Dermot Weld, has rewritten the record books yet again." "Bloody rogue." "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to the winners enclosure." "A more popular Melbourne Cup winner," "I don't think we've ever seen." "Media Puzzle, Damien Oliver and Dermot Weld." "DAMIEN:" "Thanks." " (Laughs)" "Damien!" "Trish." "I Triumphant music" "(Laughs)" "Ladies and gentlemen, it's my greatest pleasure at these awards to say that this was a very special day for me when I saw my two brave horses turn for home upsides of the Melbourne Cup." "That's what you dream about." "And I was so proud of Media Puzzle." "He got a wonderful ride from Damien Oliver." "Vinnie Roe ran a superb race, but it was Media Puzzle's day today." "(Applause)" "To all the people out there in the crowd, you've been a wonderful support through the last two days, through this trying time." "And my brother, Jason," "I know you're up there, mate." "And I couldn't have done it without you, buddy, so this one's for you."