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Star jockey Joao Moreira admits pre-race favourite Buckaroo 'couldn't run the distance' after Melbourne Cup flop

Alyssa Bone

November 5, 2024 - 6.07am

The 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup has been run and won in Flemington.

Knight's Choice powered home to claim the 164th running of the race.

Here's what every jockey in the race said about their ride.

The jockeys couldn't ask for better conditions as they pose for a photograph ahead of Race 7. Getty

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Tyler Schiller, Saint George: "He had the right run. He followed the winner but he just didn't see the trip out and couldn't get comfortable either. It was a bit of a stop-start tempo."

Craig Newitt, Valiant King: "I thought he ran really good. We just got caught a little bit wide early but got him into a nice midfield position and he travelled really well. I think if the track had a bit more give in it he finishes right on the money."

Jamie Kah, Okita Soushi: "I couldn't have asked for anything more from the horse, it was a fantastic run. Got me a bit excited at the 300 I thought he was going to hang on. He's just a genuine one pace horse."

Akira Sugawara, Warp Speed: "The plan was to go a bit more forward but obviously he couldn't. We just changed to plan b which we always had in the mind. We've watched many Melbourne Cups in the past... we knew we could come from the back. We got into good rhythm and went through the field in a really good run."

Declan Bates, Manzoice: "Just didn't stay. We travelled into the race really well but got tired late."

Jai McNeill, Just Fine: "He acquitted himself really well today. He just struggled at the 200m mark."

Rachel King, The Map: "Tough run from the gate but she's game as ever."

Karis Teetan, Mostly Cloudy: "Had a perfect position from the start but the class was just not there."

Craig Williams, Onesmoothoperator: "I was happy with the way his prelim was but once we placed him under pressure in the race today he just wasn't quite at his best. Interesting to see how he comes through."

William Buick, Vauban: "I was a bit further back then ideal. We travelled well the first half of the race and I had to hold my position."

Damian Lane, Kovalica: "He ran well. Unfortunately just didn't quite have the turn of foot to go between the 600 and the 400. I had to wait but after that he hit the line well. Just lacked enough to change in speed but other than that he ran really honest."

Kerrin McEboy, Absurde: "He ran fantastic. He got in a nice rhythm and relaxed well. We cut the corner and switched a couple of times up the running but he was finishing really well in the last bit."

Mark Du Plessis, Trust In You: "Got a lovely spot, he relaxed really well. He's probably a year away from really finishing off properly."

Zac Purton, Land Legend: "He was much more manageable than at Caufield, but was still wanting to go 10 per cent too fast the whole way. Really good effort."

Ted Nugent, Interpretation: "Lovely first half of the race. He travelled really well and probably settled midfield. First three quarters of the race was ideal, just at the business end of things from the 400 on he lacked."

Andrea Atenzi, Zardozi: "She ran good, travelled strongly, picked up nicely. She probably didn't wake at the two miles."

Winona Costin, Positivity: "Probably just came up a year too soon. Next year in the race she's going to be a lot better and she will be a big improver. Just wanted to overdo it a few times. Overall I was happy."

Michael Dee, Sharp N' Smart: "Had a lovely run today but just didn't click in the last."

Ron Stewart, Fancy Man: "He got a fantastic run from the awkward alley. Followed Jamie Kah from the half mile. She got on her bike which really suited my horse."

Joao Moreira, Buckaroo: "Didn't have the best of runs because he actually went wide. It was hard to get in and we had to travel a little bit wide. The distance probably just stretched him too much. In the last little bit he started to get tired. He couldn't really run the distance."

Hollie Doyle, Sea King: "He run alright. He probably overraced throughout really. Distance probably tested his stamina."