Ireland's Twilight Payment wins Melbourne Cup

[MELBOURNE] Irish raider Twilight Payment won the coveted A$8.0 million (S$7.68 million) Melbourne Cup at an eerily quiet Flemington on Tuesday with the "race that stops a nation" run behind closed doors for the first time.

With Jye McNeil in the saddle, the eight-year-old held off Tiger Moth and Prince of Arran in a thrilling finish to the gruelling 3,200-metre (two mile) handicap, considered the ultimate test of stamina and staying power.

"There's so many emotions, it's such a big moment," said an emotional Mr McNeil. "It's very overwhelming."

AFP