Gold Trip wins dramatic Melbourne Cup after vandal breaks onto course and sprays 1000 litres of ‘oily sludge’ onto track

It’s a win for the ages as Gold Trip takes out the 2022 Lexus Melbourne Cup!#MelbourneCup #MelbCupCarnival pic.twitter.com/KPulSkQQm5

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) November 1, 2022

The 20-1 shot, tipped up by Sun Racing columnist Matt Chapman, won by a comfortable two lengths from 25-1 Emissary and 40-1 High Emocean in third.

British raider and 17-5 favourite Deauville Legend for trainer James Ferguson finished a respectable fourth, picking up £188,000.

But ‘the race that stops a nation’ was thrown into chaos just hours before when an unknown so-called activist was filmed vandalising the racecourse.

Local reports claimed 1000 litres of a black substance were dumped onto the turf about a mile from the finish post.

Clearly no thought was given to the safety of the horses and jockeys, who later thundered over the turf at close to 40mph.

A Racing Victoria statement read: “RV Stewards have assessed the Flemington track following notification of some damage to the surface at the 1500m mark.

“Remedial work has been undertaken by VRC track staff.

“The track has been deemed safe for racing by RV Stewards with no impact on the conduct of today’s meeting.”

Fortunately the idiot’s efforts ultimately had no impact on the huge day thanks to the heroic efforts of ground staff.

More to follow.