Racing: 'That' cup even more elusive

Trainer Andreas Wohler (left) and jockey Ryan Moore celebrate with the Melbourne Cup after...
Trainer Andreas Wohler (left) and jockey Ryan Moore celebrate with the Melbourne Cup after Protectionist won the ''race that stops two nations'' at Flemington Racecourse yesterday. Photo by Reuters.
An Australian-New Zealand victory in the A$6.2 million ($NZ6.98 million) Melbourne Cup suddenly looked further away when German stallion Protectionist thrashed his 21 rivals at Flemington yesterday.

The victory could only be described as a destruction and further proved European stayers are in a different league to ours.

What seemed like a cast of thousands in the Flemington birdcage yelled their heads off as Irish rider Ryan Moore brought yesterday'scup winner, Protectionist, back to weigh in.

Standing quietly and alone in the winner's stall was probably the most composed man of the 100,000 on course, Protectionist's German trainer, Andreas Wohler.

But his syndicate of owners around Australian Bloodstock, which was astute enough to buy into the handsome German entire this year, were making up for him.

Wohler gave up his university studies as a 24-year-old because he felt obligated to the memory of his father Adolf, who had died suddenly.

Wohler took over his father's stable and 24 years later he yesterday stood in the Flemington birdcage with the trophy of the race he has long prized as the world's greatest.

''Unbelievable,'' said Wohler before Moore had got back to the stall.

''We might be a long way away in Germany, but I have tracked the Melbourne Cup for many years - even before I started training. I knew all about Phar Lap before a knew much else.''

Luck plays a huge part in horse racing and Wohler thought some time back he may have lost the services of Protectionist.

''He was working through the forest one morning and a deer ran out in front of him and tripped him up.

''He fell, fractured a splint bone and required an operation.''

As a result, Protectionist was the least-raced horse in yesterday's cup - he was having just his 10th raceday appearance.

The way he burst away from the opposition from the 200m suggests to a massive future.

He will remain in Australia and be taken over today by Newcastle trainer Kris Lees.

Wohler vowed to be back.

''Once you've been involved in something like this, you want to come back.''

Moore's performance was one of the great Melbourne Cup-winning rides.

Probably a lot of factors go towards Moore being regarded as the world's finest rider, but definitely one of them is an ice-cold demeanour.

In winning the Cox Plate and yesterday's cup, Moore could be expected to pick up about half a million dollars.

Next time you view this Melbourne Cup, observe how quietly and absolutely still Moore sits on Perfectionist behind a solid wall of horses at the 375m.

Ryan waited, and waited, and finally James McDonald forged forward from the line on Willing Foe and left a gap he quickly pounced through.

Later, when you ask Moore whether he was more excited winning the Cox Plate or the Melbourne Cup, he momentarily stares blankly.

Finally, he said: ''I wouldn't separate them. All major races are special in their own right. Actually, I don't get too excited.''

No kidding.

The relaxed attitude not only helps Moore's riding, it assists with what to many would be a crippling travel schedule.

After winner the Cox Plate, he flew to the United Stakes to ride at Saturday and Sunday's Breeders Cup meeting at Santa Anita and caught a Sunday midnight flight from Los Angeles to Melbourne.

Today, he is off to ride in Tokyo, will ride in Hong Kong at the weekend then back to Tokyo for the following week.

''I'm quite organised,'' he says.

Yes, you can believe that.

- Mike Dillon

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