Melbourne Cup day delivers history, heartbreak, fashion and glory as Point Of Law triumphs

Three years after a horrific Flemington fall left him fighting for his life, Ethan Brown returned to the same track on Tuesday to ride Point Of Law to a commanding Melbourne Cup victory and complete one of Australian racing’s most remarkable comeback stories.

The son of Frankel, bought from the royal stable of King Charles III, surged past stablemate Royal Supremacy in the straight to hand master trainer Ciaron Maher his second Cup and cap a historic day for the powerhouse stable. Brown, meanwhile, secured the biggest win of his career.

Brown’s triumph capped an extraordinary recovery from the horror fall he suffered at Flemington in March 2023. The jockey lost more than five litres of blood and sustained life-threatening injuries, later admitting he considered walking away from racing before returning to the saddle.

The Alice Springs-raised jockey was talked out of turning his hand to training by Maher, who has been one of his greatest supporters.

“He’s done nothing but support me and back me in,” Brown said.

“I was inches from losing my life and I thought maybe it wasn’t worth it.

“It’s been a bumpy road with a lot of challenges thrown my way.”

Maher also became the first trainer in the Melbourne Cup’s 166-year history to fill the trifecta, with Zahrann finishing second and Juja Kibo third. The champion trainer saddled a record seven runners and remarkably had six finish in the top 10.

One was Royal Supremacy, who set the pace and led by as many as 15 lengths before being run down in the famous Flemington straight. The trifecta paid $2644.50 and first four $50,275.10 on the TAB.

The trainer said he was sure this was his best chance to win the Cup but could not have predicted the result taking out the trifecta.

“I knew I had my best hand going into the race, but you’ve got to execute,” Maher said.

“I certainly didn’t know Royal Supremacy would lead by that far but there’s nothing better than a true staying test.

“Point Of Law, he’s just thrived. I can’t thank all the team enough. All the owners, what a ride they’ve been on.

When Point Of Law won the Geelong Cup to earn Melbourne Cup qualification, Maher joked that his mother had brokered the deal with the King to buy the horse in the UK.

“One of my proudest moments was racing at Royal Ascot with Mum and the Royal Family.

“To win the biggest race in the country and one of the biggest in the world, it’s pretty special.”

Brown anchored Point Of Law to race in the second half of the field, before shooting into action inside the final 400m.

“I looked up and Royal Supremacy was about 20 (lengths) in front,” Brown said.

Brown said he realised he was going to win “probably at about the 300m mark”.

Amidst the celebrations with Maher, Brown struggled to hold back the emotion.

“I nearly started crying when I saw Mum. She was bawling her eyes out,” he said. “If it wasn’t for her pushing me out into the big world, I wouldn’t be here today.

Inside The Brrrr-cage

Grey clouds blanketed the skies and temperatures plummeted in the morning, as early attendees tugged their coats around their bright dresses and suits.

The sun finally broke through the dark clouds about 12.30pm, giving attendees the chance to enjoy a small slice of warmth amid the moody conditions.

As they shed their outer layers, the Birdcage became flooded with a sea of pink and purple, with splashes of red and blue peppered among the crowd.

Large hats and an overflow of flowers adorned guests’ heads as the heavy grey skies began to clear.

Polka dots and florals littered the dresses of punters, sporting frocks with high slits and flowing, frilly fabrics.

By the afternoon, blue skies had emerged and large crowds spilled into the sunshine.

In the Birdcage, a small crowd formed at the front of the stage, with many breaking away from the races on the screens to dance the cold away.

Hollywood star Jamie Foxx made an appearance, donning a glittering gold blazer and appearing to high-five fashion designer Pip Edwards, who was once again was the talk of the Birdcage. Her turquoise J’Aton Couture ensemble, paired capri pants with an extravagant crystal-embellished hat and Valentino heels.

Cheers and whoops could be heard as punters backed the winning horses, high-fiving each other as they basked in the sunshine.

Big Robbie Williams energy

Seas of people made a beeline from the Fashions in the Field to the Mounting Yard — just in time to see the star of the show. No, not the horses — Robbie Williams.

Dancers in yellow and white were poised to take their spots at the stage, as the crowd’s loud cheers echoed through the open air.

“You wanna go see Robbie?” One attendee gleefully asked their friend as they walked towards the large crowd, the British singer’s greatest hits began to play.

Dressed in a bold blue suit embellished with roses, Robbie Williams wowed the crowd by belting out his greatest hits, accompanied by an eager crowd.

At one point, while singing his 1997 hit Angels, the British singer walked towards the Melbourne Cup trophy, taking a peek inside.

Focus on the fashions

Earlier, many tried to pin their hats down as they fought the blustering winds across the Birdcage.

Former MAFS star Jules Robinson, who is one of the judges on Fashion on the Fields, said the Melbourne Cup was the perfect opportunity to wear something bright and colourful amid the miserable skies.

“Fashion is such a big part of today, all the colour for the Melbourne Cup,” she said.

“The Cup is all about colour!”

Despite the freezing conditions, it didn’t stop the crowds from dipping their toes into some seriously colourful ensembles, with hats that challenged and defied gravity.

Some attendees even left their coats at home, braving the cold lest they disrupt an outfit.

Many went all out with their looks, donning bold sequins, neon colours, leather and lace to stand out from the crowds.

Kate Waterhouse — media socialite and daughter of horse trainer Gai Waterhouse — was one of the most stylish of the day, wearing a deep burgundy ensemble from Steven Khalil with Jimmy Choo accessories and a pair of cream gloves, direct from Milan.

“I’m so excited, it’s Melbourne Cup Day — I’ve just arrived and the atmosphere is electric,” she said.

“It’s the fashion, the food, the atmosphere, the horses — it’s just everything rolling into one.”

Bec Judd, a part-owner of Point Of Law, sported a striped strapless number, red heels and an oversized bow in her hair, while her AFL great husband opted for a navy pinstripe suit and green tie.

Jules Neale made a fiery statement in a head-to-toe red outfit from By Johnny, complete with matching opera gloves, pointed heels and a simple headband.

Chloe Pink, social media influencer and wife of North Melbourne AFL player Toby Pink said her focus was on the incredible outfits across the field.

“The fashion’s my favourite and the atmosphere, it’s so much fun catching up with everyone,” she said.

Additional reporting: NewsWire and AAP