Unfortunately, it wasn't to be for Horsham trainer Paul Preusker, with Surprise Baby finishing midpack in one of the most even Melbourne Cup fields in recent history.
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Irish horse Twilight Payment, trained by Joseph O'Brien, won the Cup, with Jye McNeil in the saddle.
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Surprise Baby entered the race as the favourite after late moves, and settled towards the back of the pack after a good jump.
Twilight Payment led the race most of the way, alongside another favourite in Tiger Moth, and never let slip.
Surprise Baby threatened to kick on with 400m to go but couldn't keep pace with the quickening leaders and was left to finish 13th.
Horsham jockey Dean Yendall finished a couple positions ahead in 11th, on board Cup outsider Oceanex.
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