Makybe Diva posts mild upset in the Melbourne Cup.
Makybe Diva produced a stunning victory in the 143rd Melbourne Cup (Aust-I), landing more than $1 million (Australian funds) in winning bets for her South Australian-based owner Tony Santic.The 5-year-old daughter of Desert King ran second favorite at 7-1 and dashed away over the final two furlongs of the two miles (3200 meters) to win by 1 1/4 lengths over She's Archie.Another 40-1 shot, Jardines Lookout did best of the international runners in finishing third a farther three lengths away.Shock of the $4 million Cup was that Godolphin's main entry, Mamool, failed to beat a single runner of the 23 to the line. Frankie Dettori said the 11-2 public elect travelled well to the 600 meters, where he "shut up shop."He followed his pacemaker entry Millstreet, who led to the straight entrance and come in 22nd. Hugs Dancer ran ninth and Holy Orders 17th.Makybe Diva represented a first time Cup win for trainer David Hall and rider Glen Boss.Santic runs a tuna-finishing business at Port Lincoln. He bred his Cup winner from a daughter of Riverman.A record crowd of 122,700 saw the race in brilliant sunshine at the Flemington oval in Melbourne, Australia.Mummify was a shock scatching on the morning of the race with an elevated temperature.The day before the race, stewards charged jockey Danny Nikolic with not allowing Mummify to run on his merits when the Caulfield Cup (Aust-I) winner came in eighth of 11 in the Mackinnon Stakes (Aust-I) on Nov. 1.
