Saintly is Melbourne Cup hero

A BRAVE front-running effort from Grey Shot was the only bright spot as the European challenge for the Foster's Melbourne Cup faded in the spring sunshine at Flemington yesterday.

Around 100,000 screaming Australians were at the track to see the Bart Cummings-trained 8 to 1 shot Saintly land the £684,211 first prize and extend his trainer's record of victories in the race into double figures.

But of the three Northern Hemisphere-based horses only Grey Shot emerged with credit as Kevin Prendergast's Oscar Schindler, the 4 to 1 favourite failed to live up to the pre-race hype, finishing 15th, and Court of Honour beat just two home in 20th.

Pat Eddery had the Ian Balding-trained Grey Shot at the head of affairs from the off and Jeff Smith's colt held his position as the field entered the straight for the final time.

Just as it looked as though Nothin' Leica Dane would be the main challenger, Saintly's jockey Darren Beadman, produced his charge with a devastating run the partnership sweeping clear to come home two and a quarter lengths and a neck in front of fast-finishing outsiders Count Chivas and Skybeau.

New Zealand challenger Senator ran on into fourth, Nothin' Leica Dane faded into fifth and last year's winner Doriemus just denied Grey Shot sixth place.

Grey Shot's jockey Pat Eddery was delighted with both the occasion and the performance of his mount.

"It was really good. I really enjoyed it, very exciting," he said. "He gave me a wonderful ride, it's just a shame he doesn't like fast ground. The speed horses just came and got him for a turn of foot."

Eddery also paid tribute to the winner. "I was very impressed with the way he quickened up. He came there cruising, he let him go and he really took off.

"He's obviously a high class horse.

Oscar Schindler's jockey Michael Kinane, who persuaded owner Oliver Lehane to bring the colt to Melbourne instead of going for the more lucrative Breeders Cup Turf in Toronto, said the horse had appeared perfectly well settled before the race.

"You have to take a stand and take a decision. We felt, not just me but the trainer too, that he was the right horse," said Kinane, who steered another Irish stayer Vintage Crop, to victory three years ago.

"At his very best you would have expected him to beat them.

"I asked him for an effort coming out of the home turn. It was short-lived. This was a disappointment and I have no excuses.

"However, maybe the long year has taken its toll on him as he has been running since April."

Cummings, who will be honoured with the presentation of a special commemorative Cup to mark his 10th success in the race. plans to send Saintly to contest the Japan Cup on November 4th.

The 68-year-old trainer, who scored the first of his 10 Melbourne Cup wins in 1965 with Light Fingers and his last with Let's Elope five years ago. had faced questions before the race over Saintly's ability to stay the course.

"This horse stays well so lets have a go for the Japan Cup with him" he said. "This is very special and I savour it very much.

"He is a very relaxed horse and it is a great thrill for me to be here on this 10th occasion of winning the Cup."

Malaysian owner Dato Tan Chin Nam said: "What can you say about Saintly. I can say in the Australian language - Saintly, you beaut!"

"As for Darren Beadman, if there is such a thing as a copybook ride, this was it," he said.

Bead man himself, who rode a textbook race on Saintly to win his second Melboune Cup, praised Cummings in his post-race speech.

"Bart Cummings is an absolute genius with a capital G," said the jockey, who won the race on Kingston Rule in 1990.