Almandin showed guts and spirit in equal measure to narrowly deny Heartbreak City in the Emirates Melbourne Cup at Flemington.

Trained by Robert Hickmott and ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, the six-year-old gelding arrived gamely off the pace to keep the Tony Martin-trained runner-up at bay by a slender margin.

It was a two-horse race for a long way up the home straight, and try as Heartbreak City might under Joao Moreira, the Ebor winner could not get to grips with Almandin when it mattered the most.

McEvoy, who also won the great race with Brew in 2000, said: "How lucky am I? The elation is unreal.

Almandin holds off Heartbreak City on the home straight (Getty)

"He has been well prepared and he travelled well.

"All we needed was a good run. The more I looked at it before the race, the more confident I got.

"It's a dream come true. I love the Melbourne Cup."

Godolphin were responsible for five runners in their relentless pursuit to win the Melbourne Cup, with the locally-trained Hartnell third and Charlie Appleby's Qewy fourth.

Moreira was philosophical in defeat after Heartbreak City turned in such a gallant display.

Kerrin McEvoy on Almandin holds off Joao Moreira on Heartbreak City (Getty)

The rider said: "He tries 120 per cent and I'm very proud of the horse.

"He was giving the best of himself for a long way.

"You can't be disappointed with his run."

Big Orange, fifth last year, was prominent for a long way but he faded as the field charged for home and could only finish 10th for trainer Michael Bell and jockey Jamie Spencer.

Bondi Beach was never a factor, while Wicklow Brave expended a lot of early energy by getting across from a wide draw and beat just two horses home.

Kerrin McEvoy celebrates riding Almandin to Melbourne Cup victory (Getty)

Godolphin runner Secret Number, trained in Newmarket by Saeed bin Suroor, and Excess Knowledge jousted for the lead for a long way in what was a truly-run renewal of the Melbourne Cup.

The latter still held a slight advantage two furlongs from home, but Heartbreak City was soon on top of that rival and darted into the lead.

A cut-and-thrust finale ensued, but Almandin found that little bit extra to provide joint-owner Lloyd Williams with a fifth victory in the so-called "race that stops a nation".

McEvoy added: "It's a great buzz to get the job done. He's a great little horse.

"He's had his troubles along the way, but he's been very well handled."

Robert Hickmott's Almandin won the 2016 Melbourne Cup (Getty)

Martin is already a planning a return to Melbourne next year with Heartbreak City, who did especially well to finish where he did from a wide draw in stall 23.

He said: "The emotions were very high.

"I gave him all the pushing and shoving I could from the stands, but, unfortunately, it wasn't enough.

"Everything went to plan, everything was great, it's just a pity we didn't have somebody to tow us into the straight a little bit further.

"Other than that, everything went well - I couldn't be happier.

"If we have to lock him up until next year, he's coming back here next year, all being well."