Jamie Melham on Half Yours becomes only the second woman to win Melbourne Cup

MELBOURNE: Jamie Melham became only the second woman jockey to win the Aus$10 million ($6.5 million) Melbourne Cup Tuesday, steering Half Yours to victory in Australia’s “race that stops a nation.”

The five-year-old gelding pulled clear in the final stretch on a soft track to outpace Goodie Two Shoes and Middle Earth by 1.5 lengths in the energy-sapping 3,200-meter (two-mile) handicap at Flemington.

“Oh my God, this is what we do it for,” said Melham, who came third last year aboard Okita Soushi and won the Caulfield Cup on the all-Australian Half Yours in her last ride.

“This is why we get up out of bed every morning at 4 a.m., it’s tough, it’s not all glorious and perfect as everyone can see sometimes.

“I’ve had an amazing year,” she added. “Got married, had some really great days on the track, but nothing ever, ever compares to this feeling right now I’m feeling.”

She joined Michelle Payne, who famously steered 100-1 outsider Prince of Penzance to glory in 2015, as the only women to win the race.

First run in 1861, New Zealand’s Maree Davey was the first woman jockey to saddle up at the Melbourne Cup in 1987. A record four women took part last year and three this year.

“Welcome to the club,” Payne, who was commentating, told Melham.

“We have so many young girls coming into our industry and to see her win the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup double, is just so fitting. She is such a hard worker.”

Trained by father-son duo Tony and Calvin McEvoy, Half Yours was an early favorite but French galloper Presage Nocturne took over at the head of the market 30 minutes before race start at $7.00.

‘An amazing horse’

Half Yours was second favorite at $8.00 ahead of Irish raider Al Riffa, who finished seventh, in cool and