Knight’s Choice claims Melbourne Cup in a photo finish from Warp Speed at Flemington

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Knight’s Choice won the $8.5 million Melbourne Cup in thrilling style in a photo finish win over Warp Speed at Flemington Racecourse today.

Irish expat jockey Robbie Dolan surged past his rivals to ride the $81 chance first past the winning post on the inside.

Noboru Takagi’s Warp Speed was second by a nose with in-form jockey Jamie Kah third on Okita Soushi.

“It is incredible. I can’t believe it. I don’t even know what to say,” Dolan told the Nine network after taking out his first Cup.

“I can’t even put it into words. This is the biggest race in the world.”

Dolan had several family members on hand to watch his Cup debut including his father Bobby, who only recently flew in.

“I woke up Sunday morning, coming out to the kitchen and he was standing in the kitchen and I couldn’t believe it,” the champion jockey said.

“Win, lose or draw, it was a great day for me. To win it with him here and my little daughter Maisie and my partner Christine, I’m going to cry again. Jesus Christ.”

Maisie was born 15 weeks early in 2022 and spent 110 days in neonatal intensive care before being allowed to leave the hospital.

Dolan paid tribute to co-trainers Sheila Laxon and John Symons for their efforts.

“I didn’t know what to expect but I feel like I’ve ridden it 10 times because I have ridden it in my head 100 times,” he said.

“You can’t do it without Sheila and John. They were so confident in this horse even before he got to this race.

“A lot of people doubted them. To be honest, I didn’t.”

The winning connections will receive $4.4m as Dolan takes home a $200,000 share.

Just Fine held the early lead from Circle Of Fire and Land Legend while Sea King — one of the top contenders — was last from barrier No.1 but recovered to finish 14th.

Race favourites Vauban and Buckaroo finished 11th and ninth respectively.