At 100-1 Prince Of Penzance was the equal outsider, backed mainly by those hoping for a fairy-tale.
A popular female jockey aboard when no woman had
ever won the race before. A country bloke who had risen through the ranks from humble beginnings as a farrier in Stawell to become one of Australia's most successful and prolific trainers.
24 enthusiastic owners who had been following their horse all around Victoria from Stawell to Donald to Flemington.
A New Zealand bred horse with a bargain price tag... up against expensively bred stayers from Japan and Europe, horses owned by Sheikhs and millionaires.
100-1 shots are usually greeted back to scale with muted applause but there was a mighty roar for Prince Of Penzance ... an extraordinary Melbourne Cup winner.
Released to coincide with the 2016 Melbourne Spring Carnival, "Prince Of Penzance... The Extraordinary 2015 Melbourne Cup" hits book shops this weekend.
Written by Melbourne racing journalist Kristen Manning, the book tells the story of the historic victory from the perspectives of those behind the triumph and how they experienced Australia's most sought after race.
Featuring outstanding photos by Peter Morganti, Sarah Ebbett and Sharon Chapman, the Prince Of Penzance story goes right behind the scenes, detailing the background of the horse and his connections with Manning having delved right into their fascinating history.
"Prince Of Penzance... The Extraordinary 2015 Melbourne Cup" can be ordered online at http://www.melbournebooks.com.au/products/prince-of-penzance
