Makybe Diva Makes History
By - Rob F.(SNNI) Melbourne - Images by - Johann J (SNNI) Melbourne

The great mare Makybe Diva made history with an inspiring one length win in the Melbourne Cup for 2005. Going into the race as the crowd favourite and showing short odds with the bookmakers, the champion seemed to have it all her way according to Jockey Glenn Boss. Boss became emotional as he told the gathering media that, Makybe Diva had been the best thing to happen to him in his professional career.

This 2005 Cox Plate champion and winner of the past two Melbourne Cups will now be retired “effective immediately” said owner Tony Santic as he too enjoyed the thrill of the history making run. When trainer Lee Freedman was asked to compare his champion mare with the great Phar Lap, he said: "I don't want to run Phar Lap down, but I never saw Phar Lap win three Melbourne Cups."

Freedman appeared totally composed given the importance of this race and went on to say, “Go and find the smallest child here because that child will be the only person who sees this again."

The great “Diva” was given the all clear to run after trainers examined the track in the morning, and decided it was safe for her to make an attempt at history.

The $5 million event is dubbed “the race that stops a nation”. It is the most famous horse race in Australia. A crowd of nearly 140,000 race goers flocked to Melbourne's Flemington Racecourse to enjoy what is one of the premier events on the Australian sporting calendar. Melbourne's weather also rose to the occasion with a hot but beautiful sunny day. On A Jeune took second, with Xcellent coming third.