Verry Elleegant's emphatic Melbourne Cup win brought together the best racehorse, jockey and trainer in the country for a series of first-time victories.
The Cup is a breakthrough in the nation's most famous race for New Zealand-born horseman Chris Waller and his countryman James McDonald, the all-conquering hoop.
A tenth win at Group 1 level on top of last year's Caulfield Cup is also the biggest honour for the reigning Australian Racehorse of the Year.
Verry Elleegant had won nearly $10million before taking out the Melbourne Cup over short-priced favourite Incentivise, adding $4.4million to her prizemoney.
Verry Elleegant's Melbourne Cup win brought together the best horse, jockey and trainer in the land for a series of first-time victories. New Zealand-born trainer Chris Waller is pictured with his wife Steph
Jockey James McDonald has had plenty of success on Verry Elleegant in the past 18 months and is credited along with Waller with turning her into a true racing machine
That's from a six-year-old mare whose mother was bought for just $10,000 and father had only a $500 service fee.
Tuesday's four-length win carrying 57kg should end debate about whether Verry Elleegant belongs in the champion category.
'If she can win, it propels her to legend status and it would stop any discussions about how good she is and where she sits,' McDonald said of the $16.50 chance in the lead-up to the race.
McDonald has had plenty of success on Verry Elleegant in the past 18 months and is credited along with Waller with turning her into a true racing machine.
'It's been a long journey and it would be the icing on the cake for her to win the biggest race of the year,' the man known as J-Mac told The Age.
Hobby breeder Don Goodwin, 83, is another New Zealander and named the foal after his granddaughter Ellee.
'I played around with it and invented Verry Elleegant,' Goodwin has said. 'I named her older brother Verry Flash and put two rs in his name to make it look different.'
McDonald has had plenty of success on Verry Elleegant in the past 18 months and is credited along with Waller with turning her into a true racing machine. McDonald's partner Katelyn Mallyon is pictured right after his Melbourne Cup win
