Favourite Fiorente prevailed in a furious sprint down the final stretch to win the A$6 million ($5.70 million) Melbourne Cup yesterday and deliver sweet redemption for controversial jockey Damien Oliver. Fiorente, runner-up to Green Moon last year, enjoyed a textbook ride in the gruelling two-mile handicap from three-time winner Oliver. The latter coaxed the six-year-old stallion to the front in the final 100 metres to beat British stayer Red Cadeaux by three-quarters of a length with Mount Athos finishing third. The win in the 153rd running of the Cup was especially satisfying for Oliver, who only returned to the saddle in September after serving a 10-month ban for betting on a rival horse in 2010.

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