Third Melbourne Cup in Four Years for German Great Monsun

Who could have foreseen that a midsummer Group II race at Baden Baden, Germany in 2014 worth $40,000 to the winner would supply two winners of the $6 million Emirates Melbourne Cup?.

Obviously, the boys at Australian Bloodstock had a hunch because they liked the look of runner-up Protectionist (GER) who would reward them later in the year with the richest of all prizes in Australia.

It took team Williams, who had purchased the Group II Grosser Preis der Badischen winner Almandin (GER), a little longer to snare the prize but he peaked at the right time.

Under s superb ride by Kerrin McEvoy Almandin fought off a tenacious Heartbreak City in a length of the straight thriller by a long-head. (photos Grant Courtney).

And what an impact Germany's late, great stallion Monsun has had on the race. He has now sired three of the last four winners of the race, beginning with Fiorente (IRE) in 2013, Protectionist (GER) in 2014 and now Almandin (GER).

Monsun missed out last year but the luckless runner-up Max Dynamite (FR) is out of a Monsun mare.

After defeating Protectionist in Germany, Almandin was off the scene for two years due to a tendon injury.

Owner Lloyd Williams celebrated a record fifth Melbourne Cup victory.

His previous winners came with Just A Dash (1981), What A Nuisance (1985), Efficient (2007) and Green Moon.

"It's big for me because I'm a Melburnian," Williams said. "I love it.

"It's high on the agenda this one, quite emotional.

 "It's super to be here trackside. (Trainer) Rob (Hickmott) has done a super job with it up there. It's been rehabilitated this horse because it had a tendon."

Winner of the Cup McEvoy 16 years ago on Brew, Kerrin McEvoy gave Almandin a brilliant ride to edge the Irish-trained, Joao Moreira ridden Heartbreak City, a son of another German-bred stallion Lando, who like Monsun is a son of Acatenango.

Godolphin will have to wait another year after favourite Hartnell finished four and a half lengths from the winner in third.   

"He travelled like an Oakleigh Plater around there," McEvoy said. " Geez he travelled well. How lucky am I?"

"The elation is unreal," McEvoy said. "He won in October there and got into the race. It's just a dream. It's great to be a part of it again and to win my second Cup.

"I love these staying races, I love the Melbourne Cup.

"You win one and you just want to win another one. They just keep getting better."

A brother to the Group II winner Atempo, out of the stakes-placed Tiger Hill mare Ametrin, Almandin is a three-quarter brother to Group 1 German Oaks heroine Amarette (Monsun).