Hartnell And Sky Hunter Outgunned In Melbourne Cup

Hartnell and Sky Hunter fought hard but failed to overcome strong opposition in the G1 Melbourne Cup at Flemington on Tuesday, November 3.

The Godolphin pair went into the $6-million race fit and ready, only to fall victims to a difficult barrier draw in Hartnell's case and a failure to run out the trip by Sky Hunter.

The Cup went to one of the outsiders of the field, Prince Of Penzance ridden by Michelle Payne who became the first woman to ride the winner of Australia's greatest race.

In a slowly run race, Hartnell settled down among the last few with jockey James McDonald obliged to wait until the final 600m before attempting to improve his position.

McDonald said barrier 17 in the 24-horse field had been a difficult enough obstacle, but it was made worse by his horse's tardiness from the gate.

"He felt quite lethargic out of the barrier," McDonald said.

"But he travelled kindly after that."

McDonald got onto the back of the Japanese runner Fame Game shortly before straightening and looked like getting into the race.

"I was hoping Fame Game would take me forward but his run ended and I got a bump from one inside me," he said.

"But I felt he bottomed out at the furlong, he just didn't run it out."

Trainer John O'Shea said he was disappointed Hartnell hadn't got the chance to show his best.

"It's disappointing when it turns out like this but we've still got a horse and he'll be back," he said.

Hartnell finished 15th with Sky Hunter behind him in 22nd place.

Trainer Saeed bin Suroor said Sky Hunter had also failed to run the 3200m.

"He put himself into the race but he was finished before the line," bin Suroor said.

Jockey William Buick said that despite being caught wide Sky Hunter had travelled well until he asked him for an effort.

"He was three-wide but in a nice rhythm," Buick said.

"The pace was very stop-start which didn't help.

"But the truth is he didn't stay the trip."