Vive la france

At the end of the day, reality struck home for millions of people. So You Think ran out of steam in the race that stopped Australia (and New Zealand). Yes, it was Melbourne Cup Day at the Flemington race course in Victoria, Australia.

The Malaysian-owned stallion, untried over the 3200-metre distance, gave a courageous display and despite leading the field with 300 metres to go, it could not prevent the more experienced Americain to storm past. Maluckyday also edged past the hot, sentimental favourite to finish second. The winning horse had been flown over from France for the historic150th Melbourne Cup.

In the meantime, it's quite possible that So You Think may have run its last race. Dato Tan Chin Nam, the owner of this four-year-old, said "there's a good chance he could be retired now."

"I will speak with Bart (Cummings) again but his advice is that new horses will come along. I have had my good luck with this horse, but I don't think he can stay (the distance). He had his chance. The rain didn't help, it made it a harder race for him."