Ten years on from Michelle Payne’s historic moment, Jamie Melham has created her own chapter in Australian racing folklore, becoming just the second woman to win the iconic Melbourne Cup when she guided Half Yours to glory over 3200 metres at Flemington.

The victory delivered Melham her 19th Group 1 success, while Half Yours added his name to the illustrious honour roll as the 13th horse to complete the celebrated Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup double.

“What just happened? Oh my god!” Melham exclaimed in the aftermath. “I’ve had an amazing year. I got married, I’ve had some really great days on the track, but nothing ever, ever compares to this feeling right now.”

Half Yours ($9) stretched clear for a commanding 2¾-length victory over Goodie Too Shoes ($41), with Middle Earth ($26) another 1½ lengths away in third, reversing form over the longer staying test and denying Joseph O’Brien a third Cup triumph.

Trained by the father-and-son partnership of Tony and Calvin McEvoy, the moment was deeply meaningful — particularly for Tony, who now owns winners of all three premier Victorian spring features.

His Cox Plate success with Fields Of Omagh back in 2003 is now matched by Half Yours adding the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup trophies to the family’s cabinet.

“I lost sight of him when that leader went out,” Tony said, referring to longshot Land Legend who surged to a sizeable lead mid-race.

“My eyes aren’t as good as they were and I caught him ducking back to the inside. What a thrill and what a horse he is, and what a joy he is for us.”

Prestige Nocturne, who started favourite at $5.50, faded to finish 19th.

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