Racing: Makybe Diva wins Melbourne Cup

5.20pm

MELBOURNE - Makybe Diva became the first mare to win the Melbourne Cup twice when she burst along the fence to take out the A$4.6 million ($5.07 million) race at Flemington today.

Aided by a perfect ride from Sydney jockey Glen Boss, who also rode her to victory in last year's cup, Makybe Diva proved too strong for Irish raider, and topweight, Vinnie Roe with outsider Zazzman third.

Makybe Diva was trained by the now Hong Kong-based David Hall last year and today gave Melbourne trainer Lee Freedman his fourth win in the cup, having previously won with Tawrrific in 1989, Subzero (1992) and Doriemus (1995).

"She's one of the greats," Freedman said.

"One of the greatest mares to race in this country to be able to do that in that crowd."

Makybe Diva also became the fifth horse to win Australia's greatest race twice, after Archer (1861-62), Peter Pan (1932-34), Rain Lover (1968-69) and Think Big (1974-75).

With 55.5kg, she also set a weight-carrying record for a mare. The previous highest carried to victory by a mare had been 53.5kg which New Zealand-trained Empire Rose achieved in 1988.

Said Boss, as he fought back tears: "What a mighty mare. I felt when I got to the 2000m mark, I've got that same feeling again.

"I just felt so good, she was doing it easy.

"When I got to the half mile (800m), honestly I was just in that zone again."

Makybe Diva started favourite, paying $4.10 with the Victorian-based SuperTab. The race was run in steady rain.

- AAP