Point of Law makes Melbourne Cup history, Jets suffer Asian heartbreak

Melbourne Cup Day ended with a remarkable piece of racing history, with Ciaron Maher becoming the first trainer to prepare the first three finishers in the famous Flemington race. Ethan Brown produced a memorable ride aboard Point of Law, while a controversial stewards' decision also reshaped the result of Sydney's $3 million Big Dance. Away from the racetrack, Newcastle Jets suffered another disappointing night in the AFC Champions League Elite, falling to Shanghai Port despite a late fightback.

Horse Racing — Maher creates Melbourne Cup history

Trainer Ciaron Maher has written his name into Melbourne Cup history after preparing the first three horses home in the 166th running of Australia's most famous horse race. The victory belonged to Point of Law, ridden by Ethan Brown, who produced a powerful finishing burst to overhaul the extraordinary front-running effort of Royal Supremacy. Royal Supremacy had opened up a lead of approximately 20 lengths during the 3,200-metre contest and still held a substantial advantage entering the Flemington straight. However, Brown timed his run perfectly, bringing Point of Law through the field before sweeping past the tiring leader with approximately 150 metres remaining.

Point of Law won by 3.75 lengths, with stablemates Zahrann and Juja Kibo completing an unprecedented Maher-trained trifecta. Sons And Lovers finished fourth, while Royal Supremacy held on for fifth. The achievement was Maher's second Melbourne Cup victory, following his success with Gold Trip in 2022, but the first time in the race's 166-year history that one trainer had prepared the first three finishers. There was also a particularly emotional story behind Brown's victory. The Alice Springs-born jockey suffered a serious, potentially life-threatening fall at Flemington in 2023, which left him sidelined for six months.

His recovery and return to the sport have now culminated in his first Melbourne Cup triumph.

Point of Law, meanwhile, had previously been owned by King Charles III and Queen Camilla before being sold to an Australian ownership group. The horse arrived at Flemington following victory in the Geelong Cup, completing the Geelong-Melbourne Cup double.

Waller fined after Cup-day scratching

The Melbourne Cup also produced an unusual pre-race incident involving trainer Chris Waller. His runner Asterix was scratched after stewards discovered that a stablehand had applied Penetrene liniment to the horse's forelegs on race day, breaching racing regulations. Waller accepted responsibility for the incident and was subsequently fined $50,000. The trainer described the application as an honest mistake made under the pressure of race day, but the scratching deprived connections of one of the more anticipated runners in the field.

Horse Racing — Hellsing awarded controversial Big Dance victory

The $3 million Big Dance at Royal Randwick produced one of the day's most extraordinary finishes, with the official result determined in the stewards' room rather than on the track. Formal Display initially appeared to have secured victory in a thrilling finish, edging out stablemate Hellsing. However, a protest lodged by Nash Rawiller, riding favourite Gringotts, alleged that Formal Display had caused significant interference during the race. Following a lengthy hearing, stewards upheld the protest and relegated Formal Display to fourth.

That decision elevated Hellsing, trained by Annabel and Rob Archibald and ridden by Tom Sherry, to first place. Matias was promoted to second, while Gringotts finished third. The outcome was particularly significant given Gringotts' status as the dual defending champion. The favourite had suffered interference during the middle stages, ultimately prompting the successful objection. The result handed the Archibald stable another major feature victory and provided one of the most unusual conclusions to a Big Dance in the event's short history.

Football — Newcastle Jets suffer fourth consecutive Asian defeat

Newcastle Jets' difficult AFC Champions League Elite campaign has continued, with the Australian side suffering a 4-2 home defeat to Shanghai Port at McDonald Jones Stadium. The visitors, coached by former A-League championship-winning manager Kevin Muscat, controlled much of the opening period and took the lead through Leonardo in the 23rd minute.

The Jets' problems deepened just three minutes later when Thomas Aquilina turned the ball into his own net, giving Shanghai a 2-0 advantage at half-time. Prince Ampem extended the lead shortly after the interval, leaving Newcastle facing an increasingly difficult task.

However, the Jets showed some fight. Patrick Wood pulled a goal back in the 58th minute before Xavier Bertoncello produced an excellent curling finish in the 80th minute to reduce the deficit to 3-2. With the home side suddenly threatening an unlikely comeback, Shanghai Port responded through substitute Li Xinxiang, who scored in the 86th minute to seal the result.

The defeat leaves Newcastle bottom of the 16-team competition without a point after four matches. The Jets have now conceded 19 goals in the tournament while scoring just six. It is an increasingly concerning campaign for the club, which has also struggled domestically and remains without a competitive victory this season. Muscat, meanwhile, will be pleased with his side's response after last week's defeat to Cong An Ha Noi, with Shanghai moving to seven points from its opening four matches.