Firstly by the owner, Cameron Bain, who knocked back a $2.3m offer to sell the horse early in his career.

Then by Symons and Laxon – astute horse people of the highest order.

This was not a spur of the moment, feel-good Melbourne Cup entry for old time sake, Laxon the first woman to train the winner of Australia’s most famous race with Ethereal in 2001.

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But a plan, 12 months in the making, with a sprinkling of Macedon Lodge magic, the pristine private training centre has produced five Melbourne Cup winners since Ethereal.

Driving home from the Golden Eagle last year in Sydney, Laxon and Symons realised they made a blue.

Knight’s Choice, sired by sprinter Extreme Choice, would be more effective as a stayer.

The Cup dream became reality 366 days later at Flemington as Knight’s Choice defeated Japanese raider Warp Speed by a half-head.

Okita Soushi, trained by Ciaron Maher, looked a winner at the 200m but finished three-quarters of a length in third.

Zardozi and Absurde rounded out the top five.

Knight’s Choice, who returned $81 with Ladbrokes, became the first Queensland-trained horse to win the Melbourne Cup.

• Dolan in full voice on Melbourne Cup stage

“We wouldn’t be in here if we didn’t think we could (win it),” Symons said.

“What a great ride by Robbie (Dolan), you know he stayed in, he took the risk, went through the pack.

“I was worried he got further back than we talked about, but great ride, what a thrill, what a thrill.

“You work with these horses 24/7 and you know where you’ve got them. You’d be disappointed if he didn’t run a good race.

“To run top five in a race like this, you’ve got to walk away happy. To win it, it’s a dream come true. She’ll (Laxon) be partying somewhere here. She got all the kids flown in from overseas to be here.”

Symons endorsed Bain’s bold decision to retain Knight’s Choice and chase the Melbourne Cup dream.

“Cameron knocked back quite a sizeable offer the media have kept reminding us about that horses don’t come out and win that sort of money,” Symons said.

“Can someone please write, for him and his dad, this is the pinnacle and what about his decision now, he’s turned $2.3m into whatever the first prizemoney is today.”

Knight’s Choice banked $4.4m on Tuesday and connections get the $750,000 People’s Cup to boot.

Forget the singing jockey moniker for Robbie Dolan, who featured on The Voice in 2022, the Irish-bred Australian citizen is forever going to be referred to as Melbourne Cup winner.

Dolan rated Knight’s Choice to perfection, basically last around the home turn, saved ground closer to the rail and surged between horses to find the front at the 50m and hold the margin.

Warp Speed shadowed Knight’s Choice and almost got the result, the Japanese stayer’s head was in front after the post.

• What the jockeys said: 2024 Melbourne Cup

“I thought I’d be a pair closer, but they went quick,” Dolan said.

“I just rode him for luck because I know he’s got a good turn of foot. What a training performance.

“There wasn’t enough room for me to come outside. So I decided to cut the corner.

“I heard Kerrin (McEvoy on Absurde) giving me a call along the inside. I initially would have went for the run that he went for.

“He was going a little bit better than me.

“Once my horse spotted the gap and he sort of changed leads, and he just sort of picked up on me.

“Once I pulled the stick through, he found another gear again.

“He’s only a small little horse, but he gives his all every start, and that’s half the battle with him, I think and he’s proved a lot of people wrong.”

Favourite Buckaroo loomed at the top of the straight but faded to run ninth.

Irish import Vauban disappointed, settled well back in the run and never threatened at any stage.

All 23 starters finished the race without incident.

Originally published as Knight’s Choice produces fairytale win in 2024 Melbourne Cup at Flemington