Jockey Mark Zahra wins the richest handicap horse race in the world in a thrilling ride on Gold Trip

GOLD TRIP, Jockey Mark Zahra took home the prestigious Melbourne Cup that ran at Flemington Racecourse this afternoon.

The 2022 Melbourne Cup is worth a total of $8 million, the winner taking home $4.4m of that pool, as well as the coveted Cup itself which is said to be worth an extra $250,000 in gold.

The miniature trophies presented to the jockey and the trainer are worth $10,000 each, while the strapper also gets a trophy which is worth $5000.

 You get over a million bucks just for coming second, at $1.1m. And even the 12th horse earns $160,000, as do sixth to eleventh.

Cup was on the line after ‘oily sludge’

It follows an activist pouring 1000 litres of ‘oily sludge’ on Flemington before 2022 Melbourne Cup.

The Victorian branch of the global activism group Extinction Rebellion posted the footage earlier today.

Twenty-two horses took part in the race, which spans 3.2 kilometres at the iconic racetrack in Melbourne.

Revellers frocked up for a wet day, with thunderstorms and hail expected into the early evening.

However, it didn’t stop people from showing off their brightest colours as they take to the field as part of the iconic fashion parade.

Thousands flocked to the race track for the first time in two years after prolonged Covid-19 lockdowns.