Winx part-owner Peter Tighe could not add a Melbourne Cup to his trophy cabinet but he was proud of the effort by Finche and already making plans to try again next year.
Tighe shares in the ownership of Finche with a number of long-time stable clients of trainer Chris Waller, including Black Caviar’s part-owner Neil Werrett and new player Brae Sokolski, a shareholder in the $14 million Everest winner Yes Yes Yes.
Australian punters rallied behind Finche, who had finished a brave fourth to Cross Counter 12 months ago.
He started the $8.50 favourite in Tueday’s Cup but after settling in the first half of the field for Kerrin McEvoy, the horse could not run down the leaders, finishing seventh.
Far from being disappointed, Tighe was proud of Finche’s effort.
“We’ve had a great day. There are 24 horses there and there can only be one winner,” Tighe said.
“He gave it his best shot and it probably wasn’t run to suit his style of racing but he gave it all. He’s finished seventh and we’re more than happy with that.
“We’ll start planning for next year now and try to get him back and have another crack next year.”
Tighe rode the crest of a wave with superstar Winx who won a record 25 Group One races and was unbeatable during the last four years of her career.
He has been part of Melbourne Cup days as an owner and spectator for many years and says that won’t change, even when he does not have a Cup runner.
“We’ve come every year for the past 20 years and we love it,” Tighe said.
“We came before Winx and we’ll be coming a lot longer after Winx.”
McEvoy concurred the Cup was slowly run and did not suit Finche, saying he loomed as a winning chance but levelled out over the concluding stages.
