Melbourne Cup report: In an interview before yesterday morning's Melbourne Cup, Bono, currently on tour in Australia, predicted the Irish horse Yeats would "bite the arse off any of the Australian horses that dare to run against him".
The U2 frontman was mostly right as well - except that Yeats couldn't get his jaws anywhere near the two Japanese horses who ultimately dominated the race.
The Katsuhiko Sumii-trained pair of Delta Blues and Pop Rock provided an epic finish at Flemington and instead of the local and European star jockeys, it was Yasunari Iwata who managed to force Delta Blues home in front by a nose in the race that stops a nation.
Yeats, who recovered from missing the break to lead well over half a mile from the finish, struggled back in seventh leaving Kieren Fallon disappointed.
"He didn't finish off like I thought he would. The race was run pretty much the way I expected," said the Irish jockey. "I thought maybe I should have gone for him a mile out because they didn't go very quick but I'm still disappointed."
Land N Stars did best of the British contingent in fifth but Melbourne 2006 ultimately turned into an all-Japanese benefit with the exception of local jockey Damien Oliver who rode the 5 to 1 joint favourite Pop Rock.
"I've got so much admiration for the Japanese horses," said Oliver who partnered Dermot Weld's Media Puzzle to victory in 2002. "I've spent a couple of seasons in Japan and I know how good their horses go."
Even Dermot Weld, the acknowledged master of travelling horses Down Under, never managed a one-two, although Vinnie Roe did run a valiant fourth to Media Puzzle, but yesterday's success was a landmark for world racing's emerging power.
Japanese confidence was seriously rattled when the horse they had loudly proclaimed to be the best in the world, Deep Impact, could only manage third in last month's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. As compensation goes, the Melbourne Cup ranks pretty high.
"We'd like to say thank you to Australia for giving us two chances to win this very, very big race," said Sumii, who also landed last year's American Oaks with Cesario, afterwards.
The momentous one-two was well received generally at Flemington although no doubt some of the more conservative elements of Australian racing, still less than thrilled at the idea of European horses taking the places of some home horses, will mutter darkly about these new invaders.
One horse they will have to cope with for a while yet is Land N Stars who overcame long odds to run a blinder after disappointing in the Caulfield Cup.
"He turned it around from the Caulfield Cup but you have to hand it to those Japanese horses, weren't they amazing?" said trainer Jamie Poulton. "He will go to Perth now for the Perth Cup."
Frankie Dettori's attempt to continue his hot-streak from Saturday night's Breeders' Cup, where he rode a double, came to nothing as Geordieland struggled home in 18th. "He bled from both nostrils after 400 metres," explained Dettori. "I hope he is alright."
The field was reduced to 23 when the Victoria Derby winner Efficient was withdrawn with a leg injury.
