New Zealand horse Efficient wins Melbourne Cup

Well, they might have stolen Phar Lap, but the Aussies will just have to suck it up over New Zealand’s victory in 2007′s Melbourne Cup.

New Zealand trained horse, Efficient, romped home to win the $NZ6.17 million epic race at Flemington yesterday.

New Zealand trainer Graeme Rogerson was on top of the world after the win, which followed first placings in the Cox Plate and Golden Slipper races. Efficient was a surprise win – a year ago, he won the Victoria Derby, but had been below form since then. Rider Michael Rodd took Efficient to the win with a late run, which knocked Purple Moon from pole position to second and bringing Irish trained Mahler to third place.

Overall New Zealand trained horses didn’t fare so well though, with next best Sculptor finishing ninth, collecting $NZ133,000 for Levin owner-trainer Peter McKenzie. Other Kiwi equines Princess Coup and Railings placed 13th and 19th respectively.

Since the race was first run in 1861, New Zealand bred horses have won 41 Melbourne Cups, the first in 1883 when Martini Henry was placed first. In more recent times, our own equines have won 28 of the last 50 Melbourne Cup races, including Ethereal (2001), Might and Power (1997), Doriemus (1995) and Kiwi (1983).

Find out more about the Aotearoa racing scene in our New Zealand horse racing section.