Green Moon has won the Melbourne Cup at Flemington, giving his owner Lloyd Williams a fourth win in the race.

Former European runner Fiorente gave Gai Waterhouse her third runner-up in the Cup, while the globetrotting galloper Jakkalberry was third.

The race was run under grey skies as the nation, and more than 100,000 people at Flemington, paused to watch the 152nd running of the Cup.

Clouds also hung over the race amid reports that top jockey Damien Oliver admitted placing bets on a rival horse in a race in 2010.

But the attendance of Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall added great theatre to the occasion.

Coincidentally, the last time the prince attended the Cup in 1985, What A Nuisance, another Williams horse, was victorious.

It's time to hang up the saddle and take a look back at how all the day's events unfolded. (All times AEDT):

7:30pm: Watch Leigh Sales interview winning jockey Brett Prebble on 7.30.

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Watch Duration: 4 minutes 40 seconds 4 m 40 s Leigh Sales interviews Cup winner Brett Prebble

6:32pm: Fallout continues after the Cup with the suspension of two more jockeys.

Rhys McLeod was suspended earlier for his ride on Ethiopia, now Luke Nolen and James McDonald will join him on the sidelines.

Nolen (Lights Of Heaven) was outed until November 19 for causing interference to Kelinni and Mourayan passing the winning post the first time.

McDonald, meanwhile, was banned for 14 meetings for allowing the runner-up Fiorente to make heavy contact with Sanagas, causing its rider to lose an iron.

Stewards considered the interference to be at the higher end of the scale, but the jockey says he intends to appeal.

5:24pm: Here is what the beaten jockeys said after the Melbourne Cup:

5:19pm: Back-to-back wins to Craig Williams, who settles Mahisara near the speed and sprinting clear to win the final race on Cup Day.

Williams, who had ridden Green Moon in all of his starts this campaign until today, brought Mahisara home for promising Scone-based trainer Paul Messara.

Race 10 Winner: Mahisara 2nd: Mosse Diva 3rd: The New Boy

5:15pm: They're behind the barriers for the lucky last. Good luck if you need to win to get out on the day.

5:12pm: Rhys McLeod, the rider of Ethiopia in the Melbourne Cup, has been suspended.

Stewards banned him until November 19 after finding him guilty of shifting ground at the 300-metre mark in the first lap of the Cup.

Ethiopia shifted in and caused interference to Kellini (fourth) and the winner Green Moon.

Ethiopia eventually finished last in the race, beaten a total of 63 lengths after being eased down when a beaten horse.

4:55pm: The winning trainer of the Melbourne Cup, Robert Hickmott, is the private trainer of owner Lloyd Williams.

Hickmott, like many associated with the Williams team, has little exposure to the media. Injury saw him give away playing Aussie Rules and instead began working with top Caulfield trainer Colin Little. Stints with other stables came and went before he was offered work for Williams in 2001. Hickmott tasted his first Cup success in 2007 with the Williams-owned Efficient. He was heavily involved in the grey Derby winner's preparation under official trainer Graeme Rogerson. Since then he has taken over the official operation of the stable.

4:42pm: One of the most spruiked horses all day, Unpretentious, sweeps down the centre of the track under Craig Williams to win the second last on Cup Day.

Trainer Nikki Burke had a long-range plan to win this race and everything fell into place.

Her patience and handling of the horse was praised by Williams, who rode Dunaden into 14th in the Cup.

"Nikki Burke has done a great job with this horse," he said.

"He got a little lost when he hit the front, but he was dominant in the end."

Race 9 Winner: Unpretentious 2nd: Altar 3rd: Excellantes

4:25pm: The victory of Green Moon was the fourth Cup for Lloyd Williams.

He prefers to watch his horses from home and lets his son Nick do all the talking ... and accept the trophies.

A prominent businessman, Lloyd Williams and his famous blue and white colours have been a mainstay of Australian racing for more than three decades. Green Moon joins his list of famous winners including Melbourne Cup winners What A Nuisance, Just A Dash and Efficient, as well as the dual Derby winner-turned sprinter Mahogany. With an estimated worth of $840 million, Williams - the founder of Crown Casino - was once one of Australia's biggest punters, taking on bookmakers every year at Spring Carnival time. Now, he selects prospective Cup winners in Europe and brings them to his headquarters at Macedon Lodge in Victoria along with his son Nick.

Sorry, this video has expired Green Moon owner's son pays tribute to stable staff

4:12pm: Who is Brett Prebble, the winning jockey of this year's Melbourne Cup?

A former top apprentice, Prebble won the Melbourne jockey's premiership on two occasions. He moved to Hong Kong in 2002, where he has spent most of the past decade, making his name winning the Hong Kong Derby and Hong Kong Sprint in 2007. Prebble has become a big-race jockey who flies to Australia for specific races, such as his trip to Sydney to win the 2010 Golden Slipper on Crystal Lily. He now adds the Melbourne Cup to his list of achievements. His previous best result in the Cup was third aboard C'est La Guerre, which was owned by Lloyd Williams, the owner of Green Moon. "I've soaked it up every year but normally I have my tail between my legs, so this year I had my tail up," Prebble said.

Brett Prebble celebrates atop Green Moon after winning the Melbourne Cup at Flemington racecourse on November 6, 2012. ( Getty Images: Cameron Spencer )

4:08pm: See how Green Moon's Melbourne Cup win compares to every other Cup winner with our updated infographic. Click here



3:58pm: Dominic Tourneur shoulders clear in the straight to claim a narrow win aboard Eclair Surprise.

It was just rewards for Tourneur, who lost the ride aboard Alcopop, who won the Group One Mackinnon Stakes on Derby Day.

Coming back to scale in pouring rain, Tourneur said the win was some small consolation.

"I'm not a negative person and I don't have bitter feelings for anyone.

"It's a terrific feeling to win one of these on the big days," he said.

"I've always had faith in myself and always thankful for the faith of (trainer) Philip Stokes for putting me on."

Race 8 Winner: Eclair Surprise 2nd: Grey Assignment 3rd: Tribal Rock

3:44pm: Here's the official finishing order for the Cup

1. Green Moon 2. Fiorente 3. Jakkalberry 4. Kelinni 5. Mount Athos 6. Glencadam Gold 7. Mourayan 8. Red Cadeaux 9. Precedence 10. My Quest For Peace 11. Americain 12. Cavalryman 13. Voila Ici 14. Dunaden 15. Niwot 16. Lights Of Heaven 17. Winchester 18. Sanagas 19. Maluckyday 20. Galileo's Choice 21. Unusual Suspect 22. Zabeelionaire 23. Tac De Boistron 24. Ethiopia

Margins: 1L, 1-1/4L. Time: 3:20.45

3:38pm: If you've been successful on the punt, here's what you've won:



Green Moon: $22.50 win; $7.40 place

Fiorente: $11.80 place

Jakkalberry: $16.00 place



Quinella: $506.90

Exacta: $765.30

Trifecta: $45,942

First Four: $969,407



(All prices from the Victorian TAB)

3:32pm: The overall race time was 3 minutes, 20.45 seconds, pointing towards a moderate pace in the middle stages of the race before they sprinted home in just over 34 seconds.

That left the backmarkers with little chance.

Pre-race fancies including past winners Dunaden (14th) and Americain (11th), as well as Red Cadeaux (8th) settled back in the field and never looked winning chances.

The best of the fancied runners was Mount Athos, who stormed to the line in fifth after the race was all over.

Kelinni continued the good Cup record for winners of the Lexus on Derby Day, battling strongly to finish fourth under Glen Boss.

3:20pm: In case you missed it, here are the concluding stages of the Cup:

Sorry, this video has expired Green Moon takes out Melbourne Cup

3:18pm: Here's Gerard Whateley's call of the big race:

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Listen Duration: 4 minutes 50 seconds 4 m 50 s Race Call: 2012 Melbourne Cup ( Gerard Whateley ) Download 2.2 MB

3:15pm: Nick Williams, the son of Lloyd Williams, spoke to Channel 7 soon after the race:

3:10pm: Brett Prebble spoke to John Letts on Banjo after passing the post:

Sorry, this video has expired Green Moon jockey on thrilling win ( Channel Seven )

3:08pm: GREEN MOON turns around a poor run in the Cox Plate to win a fourth Cup for owner Lloyd Williams and the first for trainer Robert Hickmott.

Brett Prebble, who flew from Hong Kong to take the ride, had Green Moon positioned beautifully at the turn and sprinted clear to defeat Fiorente and Jakkalberry.

The race was expected to be dominated by the international runners, and while two of the lesser-fancied Europeans filled the placings, it was Green Moon, a horse that came from Ireland over a year ago, proved too good to win by a length.

There was a gap of 1-1/4 lengths back to third.

3:07pm:

The Cup Winner: GREEN MOON 2nd: Fiorente 3rd: Jakkalberry

3:06pm:

GREEN MOON WINS THE MELBOURNE CUP

3:03pm: They're off!

2:58pm: The runners are behind the barriers... we're only moments away from the race that stops a nation.

Good luck to everyone who's had a bet.

Late money again for Americain.

2:54pm: Good money for both Dunaden and Mount Athos around $7 and $8 and it looks like last year's Melbourne Cup winner will start a slight favourite.

Americain and Red Cadeaux are both around the $9 mark.

Another international runner, the Irish stayer Galileo's Choice has continued to shorten into around $15, while top local hope Maluckyday is $16.

2:52pm: The jockeys have been legged-up and will soon be heading out onto the track.

The Cup is less than 10 minutes away.

2:49pm: In non-Cup news, stewards have ordered the scratching of Beesech in race 10.

2:42pm: The runners for the Cup are making their way into the mounting yard ... less than 20 minutes now till the big race.

2:34pm: Advance Australia Fair!

2:30pm: Cup Day disappointment for punters, with the RBA leaving rates on hold.

2:28pm: It's time to meet the 24 jockeys who'll ride in this year's Cup.

2:27pm: The skies around Flemington are looking pretty threatening.

Those not undercover on course have everything crossed the rain will hold off until after the big race.

2.24pm: The pre-race ceremony begins as the Cup is brought into the racing enclosure.

Dunaden and Mount Athos are vying for favouritism... Americain is drifting while Red Cadeaux remains solid.

2:20pm: We checked in with social media to see how people are spending their Melbourne Cup Day.

2:02pm: The man everyone's talking about, Damien Oliver, rides Walk With Attitude to victory in the last race before the Cup.

He rode the filly to victory for owner Gerry Ryan, who also has a share in Oliver's Cup ride Americain.

"I'm sure he'll go into the Cup with great confidence and hopefully I can make it back-to-back wins," Oliver said.

Oliver says the track is racing well and none of the Cup runners will have have any excuses today.



"The track is spot on. It's a Good 3 and racing well."

The Cup has threatened to be overshadowed by reports that Oliver has admitted to breaching racing rules by betting $10,000 on a rival horse in a race in which he was riding two years ago.

Race 6 Winner: Walk With Attitude 2nd: Thunder Rain 3rd: Medusa's Miss

1:54pm: The weather bureau radar is continuing to show showers heading towards Melbourne.

The bureau says it will update its weather warning 20 mins before race time.

1:34pm: Prince Charles and Camilla arrive at Flemington.

The Duchess of Cornwall will present the trophy to the winner of the Cup.

The royal couple shake hands with race fans as they make their way to the members' enclosure.

One spectator dressed in jockey silks asks the Prince to sign his cap.

The Prince politely declines, saying he does not sign memorabilia.

The couple also greet some of the Cup jockeys ... are they aware jockeys aren't allowed to tip?

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, are driven onto the track as they arrive at Flemington racecourse on Melbourne Cup day on November 6, 2012. ( Getty Images: Cameron Spencer )

1:32pm: Cup Day controversy as trainer Leon Corstens faces Racing Victoria stewards over treatment to Melbourne Cup runner Zabeelionaire.

He has been fined $500 for failing to tell the stewards he used a herbal hoof oil on the horse early this morning.

"We understand there was no reason for deceit here, but you should have made a request about using this [oil]," chief steward Terry Bailey said.

"If the request was made, permission would have been denied."

Zabellionaire has been permitted to take his place in the Cup, which is due in less than 90 minutes.

1:17pm: Sheikh Mohammed's famed maroon and white colours are in the winner's enclosure again as the progressive filly Genteel accelerated beautifully over the 1,000 metres.

The Sheikh won twice on Derby Day and today's winner was prepared by principal trainer Peter Snowden.

The win is also a consolation of sorts for Kerrin McEvoy, who was unable to pick up a ride in the Cup later today.

"She really impressed us last time and the team decided to bring her down," McEvoy said.

"She got some nice cover and I just peeled her out. Pretty painless really."

Race 5 Winner: Genteel 2nd: Magnier 3rd: Kolonga

1:08pm: It's less than two hours till the Cup and the money keeps coming for the English-trained galloper Mount Athos.

While lots of the money is flowing from overseas punters, here are some of the bigger bets being placed by the locals:

$10,000 at $8 on Mount Athos

$10,000 at $8 on Mount Athos $6,000 at $41 on Fiorente

$6,000 at $41 on Fiorente $4,000 at $12 on Maluckyday

$4,000 at $12 on Maluckyday $1,500 at $35 for Cavalryman

1:04pm: From the photo desk...

A model waits to appear in Fashions on the Field at Flemington racecourse on Melbourne Cup day on November 6, 2012. ( AAP: Joe Castro )

12:56pm: Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall are expected on track in about 35 minutes.

They will spend three days in the city as part of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

The Duchess will present the trophy to the winner of the Melbourne Cup, while the Prince will award a trophy to the winner of the following event, the Diamond Jubilee Plate.

12:54pm: The Flemington track looks to be in pretty good condition with yet another fast race time.

Koonoomoo ran the 1,400 metres in 1.21.01 which is less than half a second outside the track record that has stood for almost 20 years.

In race three, Verdant smashed the track record for 2,800 metres.

12:40pm: Over at the Drum, journalist Michael Hutak asks how will the public react if Damien Oliver sweeps down the Flemington straight to Cup glory aboard Americain?

12:38pm: Before news broke of Damien Oliver's appearance before stewards, the champion jockey sat down with freelance journalist Gina Dombosch to discuss his Cup chances on Americain.

12:35pm: The win is a thrilling moment for Mornington trainer Simon Vercoe, whose victory with Koonoomoo is his first on a metropolitan track after 10 years of training.

"I've had a few seconds and thirds that have been close with some bad-luck stories, and I just thought this horse was going well enough and the result is there now," he said.

"It was a great day to break the city duck."

But the celebrations will be put on hold.

Vercoe drove the float to the course so he can't have a drink until after he gets Koonoomoo home.

12:32pm: Hugh Bowman brings Koonoomoo from well back in the field to win, after Cabernet cruised into the lead and looked set for victory at the 200 metres.

Stradbroke winner Mid Summer Music was third.

Bowman says he was told to ride the horse quietly and "all credit goes to her because I just pointed her in the right direction".

Later, he gets the chance to ride Mourayan in the Melbourne Cup at long last after the horse was scratched on race morning last year.

"I'm really looking forward to the Cup later on. Let's just hope he's good enough."

Race 4 Winner: Koonoomoo 2nd: Cabernet 3rd: Mid Summer Music

12:20pm: Leading jockey Craig Williams was at the movies last year when the Cup was run.

Williams had been suspended and missed the winning ride on Dunaden.

He has the chance for redemption this year and told Channel 7 the pain of losing last year's ride was nothing but a memory now.



Dunaden must carry topweight of 59 kilograms but Williams says he can overcome adversity.

"He just doesn't say no, this bloke.

"He is a rags-to-riches story ... he can do the impossible.

"He could be one of those special horses that does it with 59kgs from barrier 16."

12:08pm: The ABC's Peta Carlyon caught up with some of the more colourful racegoers at Flemington.

Sorry, this video has expired Racegoers jockey for best spots at Flemington ( Peta Carlyon )

12:02pm: The weather situation remains uncertain.

The track has already been upgraded to a Good 3 despite an earlier shower.

But the weather bureau has issued a thunderstorm warning for the district that includes Melbourne.

The warning area, however, just skirts the metropolitan area, so keep an eye on the skies.

Race-goers keep the rain away as showers close in on Melbourne Cup day at Flemington on November 6, 2012. ( Getty Images: Quinn Rooney )

11:53am: Trainer Robert Smerdon may have won this race with Verdant, but he appears to be trailing in the Mo-vember Stakes against fellow trainers Peter Moody and Mick Price.

"I've copped more flack than money so far, so if anyone wants to sponsor me, get in there," he said.

Moody's mo is well-advanced, leading the stewards to consider launching an inquiry amid allegations he may have jumped the start.

11:49am: Verdant wins the Lavazza Long Black over 2,800 metres, making it the second longest race run during the Melbourne Cup carnival.

In the end, the favourites had the race to themselves, with Dwayne Dunn showing great patience to give Verdant the last shot at the well-backed Gaurd and Practiced.

Dunn teams with veteran stayer Niwot in the Cup later today.

Verdant broke the track record for 2,800m, running 2.52.4 which took 1.5 seconds off the previous best.

Race 3 Winner: Verdant 2nd: Garud 3rd: Practiced

11.30am: Money has come this morning for the Luca Cumani-trained English galloper Mount Athos. Bookmakers have taken two $10,000 bets and another $5,000 bet at $8 on the horse. Other runners fielding big bets this morning include Australian hope Lights of Heaven and Irish galloper Galileo's Choice.

11:18am: From the photo desk..

Race-goers enjoy a champagne breakfast in the Flemington racecourse car park on Melbourne Cup day, November 6, 2012. ( AAP: Joe Castro )

11:14am: Most economists believe the surest bet this Melbourne Cup Day is an interest rate cut by the Reserve Bank.

11:10am: Kasane's jockey Brett Pebble is a busy man. He's set to race in Hong Kong tomorrow, but not before riding Green Moon in the Cup.

"It's always great to be home and to be riding winners."

11:01am: Good omens for the connections of Melbourne Cup chance Ethiopia, with the Pat Carey-trained Kasane taking out race 2.

"She is raced by Trevor and Terry Delroy from Wired Up Stud, and more importantly she is raced by my wife as well so it's a great to start to what looks like being a big day."

Carey, who has Ethiopia in the Cup, says he's not fazed by the rain.

Race 2 Winner: Kasane 2nd: Mabsam 3rd: Aliyana

10:55am: Rain is falling at Flemington. Might be time to start considering the wet trackers.

10:21am: And the first race of the day has been run. Michael Rodd, who will ride Red Cadeaux in the main race, gets off to a great start on grey filly Villa Verde, trained by Shaun Dwyer.

"Shaun has been dreaming of a Golden Slipper for a long time so we'll put her away and give her a good preparation for that," Rodd said.

Race 1 Winner: Villa Verde 2nd: Purrific 3rd: Thump

Michael Rodd rides Villa Verde to victory in race one at Flemington on Melbourne Cup day on November 6, 2012. ( Getty Images: Robert Cianflone )

10:07am: Racing identity Richard Freedman says his brother and racehorse trainer Lee Freedman has viewed the race at the centre of the allegations surrounding Damien Oliver.

Oliver was aboard Freedman's mount Europa Point, but is alleged to have used someone else to place a $10,000 bet on Miss Octopussy.

Richard Freedman says his brother had no problem with Oliver's ride, and the horse had every chance to win the race.

But Freedman says if found guilty, it will be a blot on Oliver's career.

"He's not the first jockey to have had a bet and he won't be the last ... [but] if he is found guilty it will be a stain on his career."

10:05am: Channel Seven has asked Damien Oliver about the betting scandal, and he's replied with a firm: "No comment".

10:02am: The ABC's Steve Pearce has filed this update on the situation surrounding Oliver.

Sorry, this video has expired Controversy surrounds Oliver at Flemington ( Steve Pearce )

10:00am: The part-owner of Americain, Gerry Ryan, says he is confident Damien Oliver has his mind on the job.

"I'm very happy with the process and very pleased that he is focussed. You take 10 years ago, he is a rider that whatever happens in his personal life, when he hops on that horse he's a true professional."

has kept connections up to date with the betting allegations. Mr Ryan says

9:30am: Gates are officially open at Flemington, and punters are rushing to secure prime positions near the finishing post.

A crowd of more than 100,000 is expected at the famous racecourse.

The gates are open and punters are starting to arrive at Flemington Racecourse for the Melbourne Cup on November 6, 2012. ( ABC News: Peta Carlyon )

9:22am: Here are the scratchings for the entire card at Flemington:

Race 1: 12 TENS ALL ROUND

Race 2: 13 FRENCH TANG

Race 3: 13 TENBY LADY (USA)

Race 4: 17e BONARIA (Eliminated), 18e SIMPLY PUT (Eliminated), 19e NEW BEGINNING (Eliminated), 20e TWILIGHTING (Eliminated)

Race 5: 10 ZARZING

Race 6: 1 REAL STOLLE

Race 8: 3 TAGUS

Race 9: 16 ONTHELOOKOUT, 19 ROSIE'S REWARD, 22e FONTELINA

Race 10: 8 HOT SPIN, 10 REPARATIONS, 19e LONHREIGN, 20e CHILE EXPRESS

9:12am: Betstar's Alan Eskander says French stayer Dunaden has taken over from 2010 winner Americain as favourite for the Cup.

But other bookmakers are seeing moves for Mount Athos and Red Cadeaux.

It seems punters are focusing on the top four European horses.

Sorry, this video has expired Dunaden firms as punters' favourite

8:30am: Fairfax media is reporting champion jockey Damien Oliver has admitted to breaching racing rules by betting on a rival horse in 2010.

The reports say "Oliver has told his supporters he expects to be suspended for between nine to 12 months - but that he is also considering retiring".

The ABC's Gerard Whateley says if Oliver wins today aboard Americain, "people will have grave misgivings about it".





8:05am: The track is currently rated a Dead 4, but racecourse manager Mick Goodie says an upgrade to a Good 3 is expected by the time the Cup field jumps at 3pm.

The track at Flemington Racecourse is expected to be upgraded to Good later in the day. ( ABC Radio News: Peta Carlyon )

8:00am: Racing Victoria's chief handicapper Greg Carpenter explains the process of assigning weights to horses.

Sorry, this video has expired Chief handicapper explains weight process ( Steve Pearce )

7:52am: The finishing touches are being put on the marquees at Flemington, with an army of staff polishing champagne flutes, making mountains of canapés and tending to the racecourse's famous roses.

The famous Flemington roses are in full bloom for Melbourne Cup day including the Golden Bunny rose, a climber rose that grows on and around the fences, according to grounds and gardens manager Terry Freeman. ( ABC News: Jean Edwards )

7:40am: The ABC's Guy Stayner caught up with Trevor Delroy, owner of Melbourne Cup hopeful Ethiopia, to find out what's in a name.

Sorry, this video has expired Owner Delroy explains naming link to Africa ( Guy Stayner )

7:30am: Top jockey Damien Oliver will ride Melbourne Cup favourite Americain under a cloud today. He's been interviewed by stewards investigating allegations he broke the rules two years ago by betting on a race in which he rode.

Damien Oliver rides Americain during trackwork at the Werribee International Horse Centre outside Melbourne on October 31, 2012. Read the story ( AAP: Julian Smith )

- Reporting by Katie Franklin and Daniel Franklin