The track was downgraded to Soft 7 after overnight rain, a factor that could influence race dynamics.

Land Legend’s early surge set the pace, with Melham waiting, then producing a decisive inside run to advance.

Post-race, Melham paid tribute to her family and husband Ben Melham, reflecting on the race preparations and strategic discussions ahead of the ride.

Fans celebrated with excitement, planning celebrations and beers, highlighting the social atmosphere surrounding the win.

Additional context notes links offering dividends, full finishing orders, and race replays as part of broad event coverage.

Jockeys offered brief assessments of their horses’ performances, citing race conditions, positioning, and turning points that shaped outcomes.

Macquarie Capital’s quantitative team used metrics like value, momentum, sentiment, quality, and innovation to reach a verdict on the race.

Dramatic moments on the Flemington straight saw horses jostling for lead as the race developed.

Half Yours, ridden by Jamie Melham, won the 165th Melbourne Cup, marking Melham as the second female jockey to triumph in the event and completing a Caulfield Cup–Melbourne Cup double a decade after Michelle Payne first achieved it.

Half Yours finished ahead of Goodie Two Shoes and Middle Earth, with River of Stars fourth, while pre-race contenders Al Riffa and Presage Nocturne were prominent but faded.

Cup-day coverage included sponsorships, odds movements, and track conditions, with pre-race favorites such as Prestige Nocturne and Al Riffa noted amid a Soft 5 track.

The article emphasizes live updates, race replays, dividends, and extensive coverage to underscore the historic achievement.