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Chris Waller and James McDonald dominated Derby Day, but Waller wasn’t even there to enjoy it

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source : the age

Master trainer Chris Waller came tantalisingly close to making it a clean sweep of Derby Day’s three group 1 races but, in a sign of the times, was not even at Flemington as star jockey James McDonald dominated the start of the Melbourne Cup carnival.

McDonald had a day out with four winners, including the Victoria Derby and Empire Rose Stakes aboard Waller’s duo Stormy Marco and Lady Shenandoah respectively, but they were nosed out by Ciaron Maher’s glamour colt, The Next Episode, in the Coolmore Stud Stakes.

Instead of basking in the glory at Flemington, Waller was at Randwick for Sydney’s lucrative Golden Eagle meeting, which, along with The Everest, has reshaped the Australian racing calendar.

Cloth number, horse and barrier for the 2026 Melbourne Cup

  1. Sons And Lovers (barrier 3)
  2. Trustyourinstinct (18)
  3. Knight’s Choice (2)
  4. Middle Earth (1)
  5. Vauban (22)
  6. Enfjaar (8)
  7. Royal Supremacy (21)
  8. Wine Dark Sea (23)
  9. Asterix (6)
  10. Goodie Two Shoes (19)
  11. Juja Kibo (14)
  12. Hopewell Rock (15)
  13. Onesmoothoperator (13)
  14. Soul Of Spain (5)
  15. Zahrann (11)
  16. So You Are (7)
  17. Future History (12)
  18. James J Braddock (24)
  19. Kizlyar (20)
  20. Point Of Law (9)
  21. Strictly Business (4)
  22. Mr Monaco (16)
  23. Zakouma (10)
  24. Shockletz (17)
SEN radio host Gareth Hall (left) – a part owner of James J Braddock – drew barrier 24.Getty Images

22. Vauban

20. Kizlyar

14. Juja Kibo

24. James J Braddock

7. So You Are

9. Point Of Law

12. Future History

5. Soul Of Spain

23. Wine Dark Sea

13. One Smooth Operator

18. Trustyourinstinct

15. Hopewell Rock

16. Mr Monaco

6. Asterix

19. Goodie Two Shoes

3. Sons And Lovers

8. Enfjaar

11. Zahrann

1. Middle Earth

10. Zakouma

Here’s the breakdown of each horse’s barrier, in the order they were drawn:

Barrier 21. Royal Supremacy

17. Shockletz

4. Strictly Business

2. Knight’s Choice

We will have coverage of the Melbourne Cup barrier draw when it begins shortly.

9Gem is showing the draw live. It is set to begin any minute now.

Punters enjoy their day at Flemington.Eddie Jim

Long lines are beginning to form for rideshares, taxis and trains as Derby Day wraps up.

The Flemington Racecourse line is running a good service as punters head back towards the CBD to make their way home.

Some people aren’t ready to call it a day and the lines for the bars are still going strong.

Punters keep partying after the last race at Flemington.Shelby Brooks

Their shoes may be off but evening plans are being considered by Ash, Issy and Alex, of Shepparton, as they head back to the CBD on the train.

Ash, Issy and Alex, of Shepparton head home from Derby Day.Shelby Brooks

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