Damien Oliver claims New Zealand favourite Kaapstad Way had every chance when he finished fourth in the Melbourne Cup.
The Kiwi-trained stayer was set a giant task when second last at the 800m, but Oliver said he had things under control at that point.
He was second last with 800m to run but joined those moving forward soon after and was almost alongside Brew early in the home straight.
Oliver said he had visions of victory.
"He came into the race from the 700m and I felt he was in the right place to challenge on the home turn.
"He made a run at them and wilted on his finish in the last 120m and only battled from there."
Kaapstad Way looked certain to run past third-placed Second Coming, but the other horse was holding him in the dying stages.
Michael Coleman will probably be criticised in some quarters for appearing to press the accelerator too soon on Second Coming, but trainer Mike Moroney later revealed he had kept quiet the fact Second Coming had missed vital training because of a stone bruise.
"He was travelling too keenly at the 700m," said Coleman.
"He was doing hand stands on the corner, but if I hadn't let him go when I did I could see I was going to get pushed wider and wider.
Matamata mare Pravda caused a sensation when she refused to go to the start and had to be withdrawn after holding the race up for nine minutes.
Two of the clerks of the course attempted to lead and persuade the Matamata mare to the barrier, but she was having none of it.
Lance O'Sullivan climbed back on, but in front of the largest section of the crown, Pravda refused to budge.
He was happy, though, when the decision was made that the race could be held up no longer and she was led back into the mounting yard and Lance O'Sullivan walked back to the jockeys room.
You can only wonder what was going through O'Sullivan's mind five minutes later - last year he rode Brew into 10th in the Melbourne Cup.
While New Zealanders were celebrating Brew's success, the much-vaunted Northern Hemisphere challenge was a major flop.
Arctic Owl was by far the best of the four English imports on the day finishing a very unlucky 5th.
He was twice jammed up between horses in the crush to move forward between the 1000m and the home bend and was again blocked badly at the 400m. Once into the clear he finished strongly along the inside, but the leaders had established too big a break.
"That was certainly a bit disappointing," said rider David Harrison.
Enzeli finished 15th, Lightning Arrow 17th and the fourth imported galloper Far Cry was beaten at the 800m after racing handy and dropped out to beat only Maridpour home.
Racing: Kiwi favourite given every chance but task too big
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