The Cup

(Applause)

Ladies and gentlemen, those

were the words of Mark Twain

over images filmed for the

Lumire brothers in 1896...

only ten months

after they invented the cinecamera.

The Melbourne Cup

still astonishes people.

It is still the race that stops

a nation,

and for that matter,

the entire racing world.

But you can't have a horserace

without jockeys...

men and women who,

despite the dangers,

dedicate their lives to keeping

this great sport alive and well.

So, back to business.

Jockey of the year,

and winner of

the Scobie Breasley Medal for 2002 is...

..for a record fourth time -

Damien Oliver.

RACE CALLERS:

He's out by two lengths.

Holds 'em at bay.

And Mr Murphy takes out the

Guineas for Damien Oliver.

Fields Of Omagh fighting back

with Magical Miss. Yes! Omagh!

Toledo's the leader in the

Newmarket. And Toledo!

Toledo for Damien Oliver.

Fubu on the run on the inside.

Umrun, Mr Murphy charge.

Mr Murphy!

Oh, he's done it again.

Viscount coming at her.

Sunline in front.

Northerly on the outside

going at Sunline.

They got very tight,

but Northerly

wins the Cox Plate!

(Applause)

I'd like to call on

one of Western Australia's

leading jockeys,

Damien's brother, Jason,

to make the presentation.

- Jason.

- Thanks, mate.

And they said

he'd never make it, hey?

Well, I did at least.

(Scattered laughter)

I was the one out there

riding professionally.

I was the one following

in our dad's footsteps.

And right in the middle

of my dream run,

my little brother races past

and leaves me in his dust.

Lately, he's been leaving

a few other people

in his dust as well.

But, Dame, my boy,

well done, mate.

We're all very proud of you.

Uh...

I'd like to thank the judges,

my beautiful girlfriend, Trish.

No need to tell me

I'm batting above my average.

(Audience chuckles)

My good mate and manager

Neil Pinner. Good on ya, Pins.

And to Lee Freedman,

the best trainer in the country.

At least in his opinion.

(Audience laughs)

- Hey!

- And to my wonderful family.

Especially my mum and my nan,

watching this back in the west.

Mum, this is for you.

(Applause)

You too, Dad.

(Cheering and applause)

Ladies and gentlemen,

top jockey

and it's already gone

to his head.

Not happy with any of our horses

for this year's Melbourne Cup,

Damien is going to ride

for the enemy.

Hey, excuse me.

Since when, Dame?

Well, Lee hasn't got

a horse running

and there's nothing much else

about, so...

Suddenly an offer came out of

the blue that I couldn't refuse.

(Audience murmurs)

Don't tell me

the Irish wizard Dermot Weld?

Maybe.

MAN:
What about riding

an Aussie horse, Damien?

I wouldn't go so far

as to call my little brother

a dirty rotten traitor,

but there are some amongst us

who would consider Ireland's

foremost trainer just...

Well, you know.

(Clock strikes the hour)

Where's Vinnie?

Dress To Thrill? Media Puzzle?

(Snorts)

His people skills are

a little lacking, are they not?

I suppose it's understandable.

How about I take him out today?

Oh, thanks, Dave.

Hey. Easy now, big fella. Easy.

(Snorts)

That's it.

That's it. Steady now.

Time to go out

to the gallops, boy.

You wouldn't want to be left

behind now, would you?

Claire, have you something

to tell us?

It's Media Puzzle.

He's playing up again.

As a herding animal,

a horse is a creature of habit,

particularly so in the case

of thoroughbreds training

for the track.

For, as we all know,

particularly those in my employ

as long as Mr Phillips,

any deviation

in a horse's training

will have a significant impact

on its performance.

Surely we all know that.

We also know that runners

sired by Theatrical tend

to have a bit of a temper,

and this one's no exception.

Off you go.

Evolving Tactics.

Refuse To Bend.

Lovely, Dermot. Just lovely.

Two of your best, Michael.

Both in superb condition.

Dress To Thrill.

Top Of The Morning.

And who might

the third horse be?

Well, the important thing

is he's not one of yours.

With the money I pay you,

I certainly hope not.

Vinnie Roe. Media Puzzle.

I hear you're taking Vinnie

to Australia.

Actually, Michael,

I'm taking both.

Media Puzzle?

I thought we decided he was

headed for the knackery.

It's taken him 18 months

to get his nerve back,

but believe me, it's back.

He's flying.

Remember the English St Leger?

Fourth.

A good fourth.

Plenty in the tank.

I'm telling you,

with the right jockey,

Media Puzzle could

win the Melbourne Cup.

- Proud of you, mate.

- Thanks, Jase.

You don't really mind me

riding for Dermot, do you?

Nah, maybe not. Which one of his

horses will you get to ride?

- Don't know yet.

- It's a bit of a blind date.

The way I see it,

anything Dermot brings out

is going to be pretty good.

The rest is up to me.

Yeah, there's no doubt

the bloke's clever.

All I'm saying

is watch your back.

The man's full of bullshit.

Over there it's called

'blarney'.

Oh, is it? Well, it still

smells like crap over here.

Oh, he's OK.

You know, I rode for him

in Ireland a few years back.

There was an awful lot of chat,

but his horses were great.

Anyway, wouldn't be an issue

if you got a starter, would it?

(Chuckles)

Might be time to hit the track.

Work him over. Six evens.

Home four. You too, Marty.

Hmm.

- What do you reckon?

- Yep. He'll do.

(Aeroplane landing)

RACE CALLER:
..and

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