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This was published 11 months ago

Most horses are barred from this race for one weird reason that honours legendary Melbourne Cup winner

Nic Negrepontis
Nic Negrepontis

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James McDonald and Getafix have won the Subzero greys race at Flemington on Oaks Day.

The race is made up only of grey horses and is one of the niche events of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, beloved by punters for its quirkiness.

It was named the Subzero Handicap in 2013 in honour of Subzero, a legendary grey Gelding who won the 1992 Melbourne Cup.

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James McDonald riding Getafix winning Race 2, the Rda Subzero Handicap during Oaks Day

James McDonald riding Getafix winning Race 2, the Rda Subzero Handicap during Oaks Day Getty

Subzero became a cult hero because of its status as a grey Melbourne Cup winner.

The unique event used to take place on Melbourne Cup Day, but was moved to Oaks Day, which disappointed some diehards.

The VRC also runs an identical race during Cup week that greys aren't permitted to enter, making the Subzero a showcase of them.

McDonald squeezed Getafix through a small gap between horses for the win that had race caller Matt Hill momentarily nervous.

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Getafix ridden by James McDonald wins the RDA Subzero Handicap at Flemington Racecourse on November 06, 2025 in Flemington, Australia. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos)

Getafix breaks clear in the RDA Subzero Handicap on Oaks Day. Racing Photos via Getty Images

"The gap I was going for on the straight I had to be pretty brave and the horse had to be extremely brave," McDonald told Nine's Billy Slater after the race.

Getafix, trained by John O'Shea and Tom Charlton out of Randwick, is part owned by Sydney AFL star Tom Papley and former AFL player Patrick McCartin.

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Papley is currently in Bali on his honeymoon, posting a poolside photo on Wednesday of himself doing track form ahead of Oaks Day.

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