Cork Jockey Wayne Lordan finishes second in the  $10 million Melbourne Cup

Innishannon jockey Wayne Lordan went agonisingly close to landing the 2025 $10 million Lexus Melbourne Cup in the early hours of Tuesday morning at Flemington Park. 

The “Race that Stops a Nation” never fails to disappoint. 

The 165th renewal was no exception. 

The Cork jockey enjoyed a memorable spin on the JP McManus-owned Goodie Two Shoes, who travelled supremely well throughout. 

Ultimately, Half Yours prevailed by 2¾ lengths, from Goodie Too Shoes, to deny trainer Joseph O'Brien a third Melbourne Cup. 

In the process, Jamie Melham etched herself into the history books a decade after Michelle Payne became the first woman, to land the most famous race in Australia. 

Half Yours and Goodie Two Shoes were upsides with a furlong to go. 

Melham, who'd gone for a daring gap secured a famous victory, finishing with a flourish, to win a shade readily. 

She became the first female jockey to win the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup in the same year.

Heading into the race Irish Leger winner, Al Riffa, a stable companion of Goodie Two Shoes was perceived as the best of the European contingent. Wayne Lordan's mount, Goodie Two Shoes was a first ever runner in the iconic Melbourne feature, for owner JP McManus. 

The rain softened ground was seen as a major negative for Goodie Two Shoes and that was reflected in her starting price of 40/1.

This fiercely competitive handicap is usually run at a ferocious pace with a proper end-to-end gallop.

However this year's renewal was noticeable for slow early fractions. 

Ultimately, Land Legend took off in the back straight and quickened up proceedings markedly.

He established a ten-length lead, but was a spent force turning for home. 

At this juncture, Wayne's mount Goodie Two Shoes was travelling ominously well. 

She struck the front approaching the two furlong pole. At this point we dared to dream. 

Was Wayne about to add the Melbourne Cup to the Epsom Derby and the Goodwood Cup to cap a memorable campaign?

However, Caulfield Cup winner Half Yours had other ideas, quickening up in style on the inside of Goodie Two Shoes to asserted his superiority close home. 

He became the thirteenth horse to complete the Caulfield/ Melbourne Cup double.

Just for a few strides at the two furlong pole this scribe got quite animated as it looked like the popular Cork jockey was on the threshold of immortality. 

The runner up lost no caste in defeat and has been a revelation throughout the summer.

Speaking afterwards Joseph O’Brien praised the Cork jockey while lamenting the presence of the winner.

"Wayne gave her a wonderful ride but there was one horse better handicapped than us. 

"I'm very proud of her.” 

Goodie Two Shoes arrived here on the back of a career best performance when third in third in the Group 2 Lillie Langtry Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.

She was bred by Noreen McManus. 

She first sprung to prominence with a victory on her debut in an ordinary fillies maiden at Killarney three years ago. 

She blew the start that night but Declan McDonogh gave her a wonderful education. 

She ran out an impressive winner and what impressed me that night was for such a big filly how she coped with the tight turns. 

She quickened up in the style of a smart filly and she's confirmed that good impression subsequently.

In a twist of coincidental fate Lordan's Derby winner Lambourn also won on debut at Killarney.

She failed to take to fences but has thrived back on the level. 

Her midsummer hat-trick came via Listed wins at Gowran and Down Royal.

She also took the Group 3 Stanerra Stakes at Fairyhouse. 

The operative word to describe her is progressive.