Two of the younger jockeys of the Victorian ranks have filled the minor placings behind elder statesman Mark Zahra in the Melbourne Cup at Flemington.
Patrick Moloney steered Emissary into second place behind Gold Trip while Teodore Nugent was given the thrill of a lifetime when finishing third aboard High Emocean, a Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained stablemate of the winner.
Moloney, who was having his third ride in the Cup, said he was beaten by a better horse on the day but wondered what might have happened had the track been a little firmer after being softened by rain in the hours leading up to the Cup.
“What a horse. Great run. He gave me a lovely ride,” Moloney said.
“The plan was to ride him quiet, conserve all his energy
“We did that, and he ran a massive race but we were beaten by a better horse on the day.”
After finishing fourth aboard Floating Artist last year, Nugent said he was already looking forward to next year’s Cup.
Having his second Cup ride, Nugent has been associated with High Emocean throughout her career with the mare providing the jockey one of his first metropolitan wins when an apprentice.
“Wow wee. What a thrill. She is the ultimate professional racehorse,” Nugent said.
“The more we raise the bar, the more she keeps delivering.
“We jumped, had a beautiful run in behind the stablemate and winner Gold Trip. Through the middle stages I was kidding to myself with the position we had.
“He (Gold Trip) towed me everywhere we needed to go but at the top of the straight he put two lengths on me very quickly and she had to work through her gears.
“The more I got stuck into her, the more she delivered.”
Nugent said to be associated with a horse like High Emocean and finish third in the Melbourne Cup, was pretty much the ultimate dream.
“I finished fourth last year on Floating Artist, this year third on High Emocean, so I’m looking forward to next year, I can tell you that,” he said.
Moloney’s day was soured with a 15-meeting suspension and a $20,000 fine after he pleaded guilty to a careless riding charge on the hometurn in the Cup.
Racing Victoria stewards took into account his guilty plea and his overall good record, however the interference occurred in a Group 1 feature race.
