Champion trainer Chris Waller has claimed back-to-back Victoria Derby wins as short-priced favourite Riff Rocket edged Apulia in a thrilling finish at Flemington.
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Ridden by top jockey James McDonald, Riff Rocket surged to the front and held off the challenge of fast-finishing Apulia to win Saturday's 2500m Group 1 feature by a nose.
A photo was needed to split the first two, while Sunsets had led in the straight and was a brave third for Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young.
It was Waller's third win in the past nine editions of Australia's oldest classic, after triumphs with Preferment in 2014 and Manzoice last year.
"It's called Derby Day and this is the Group 1 that you want to be winning on the day, and we've been fortunate enough to go back-to-back," Waller's assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth said.
"The race unfolded beautifully in terms of the way James positioned him.
"Everything looked like it was going to plan, and sort of approaching the turn it looked like he was just coming off the bridle a little bit early, so that obviously gave us a little bit of a worry.
"I thought he had the horse directly to his inside covered, but obviously the eventual second placegetter really challenged us late.
"Coming into today, no one's sure whether they stay at the 2500m, and obviously first, second and third all stayed it well."
It was more heartbreak for Apulia co-trainers Ben, Will and JD Hayes, a week after their Cox Plate runner-up Mr Brightside was edged by Romantic Warrior.
"It just shows how hard they (Group 1 races) are to win and you've got to enjoy them when you can," Ben Hayes said.
"Mark (Zahra) rode him beautifully. I think if he was maybe to the outside we might've been able to win.
"But full credit to the winner, it got us on the line."
Rachel King piloted $20 chance Ozzmosis to a famous victory in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m).
I Am Unstoppable was second for new training partnership Lloyd Kennewell and Lucy Yeomans in Australia's premier stallion-making race, with Waller's Shinzo third.
Ciaron Maher and David Eustace's Pride Of Jenni walked home late but hung on to win the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes after a gutsy front-running ride from Declan Bates.
Pride Of Jenni beat a fast-finishing Atishu, ridden by McDonald for Waller, by three-quarters of a length. Life Lessons was third.
Retiring champion jockey Damien Oliver had a great start to his final Melbourne Cup carnival, piloting winners in two of the first three races on Saturday.
Oliver steered Kris Lees's Kalapour into the Cup field with victory in the Lexus Archer Stakes, and scored again with Queen Of The Ball for Michael Freedman in the Furphy Sprint.
The wins took Oliver's already-imposing Melbourne Cup carnival tally to 87 in a decorated career.
"I am feeling on cloud nine," the 51-year-old said after Queen Of The Ball's victory.
"You dream of having this sort of success when you are going out and I was hoping it might eventuate, but you never quite know in racing.
"To have a couple of winners early is brilliant."
In Sydney, Japanese raider Obamburumai shot past more experienced rivals under Josh Parr to pinch the $10 million Golden Eagle at Rosehill.
James Cummings-trained duo Pericles and Golden Mile filled the minor placings.
Classy mare Bella Nipotina edged Private Eye in a photo finish to claim the $3 million Giga Kick Stakes.
Superstar sprinter Think About It finished third, ending a run of nine consecutive wins this year.
Australian Associated Press
