Red Cadeaux had to settle for second once again as Fiorente claimed the Emirates Melbourne Cup at Flemington. Ed Dunlop's charge filled the runner-up spot in 2011 and once again found one too good in the Gai Waterhouse-trained winner. The Luca Cumani-trained Mount Athos was third with Willie Mullins' Simenon fourth to complete a European clean sweep of the minor honours. Another British raider, Ed Walker's Ruscello, set the early gallop as the Tom Dascombe-trained Brown Panther was another to race prominently in the early stages for the European contingent. Ruscello was still in front with six furlongs to run but the challengers were lining up in behind, with Red Cadeaux, who had to contend with a high draw, poised on the outside of the field turning for home. Fiorente was tracking him though and the pair really started to battle with a furlong to run, with Damien Oliver launching Fiorente on the outside. While Red Cadeaux responded to Gerald Mosse's every urging, Fiorente just had too much in reserve and edged in front at the line. Mount Athos ran a game race up the inside to finish third and hold off the Willie Mullins trained Simenon while Marco Botti's Dandino was noted finishing fast in fifth. Oliver was claiming his third Melbourne Cup win following Doriemus in 1995 and Media Puzzle in 2002 while Waterhouse was saddling her first winner of the famous race. The victory was a particular highlight for Oliver, who served a lengthy suspension after admitting backing a rival horse in a race in 2010.
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