So said an emotional Corey Brown after he steered Rekindling to a win in the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday.

“I had a great run, but it wasn’t easy.”

Describing himself as a “Wingham boy through and through”, it was Brown’s second cup victory following his success on Shocking in 2009. Rekindling won from Johannes Vermer and Max Dynamite. 

Brown’s wife, Kylie and three daughters were in the crowd to see Brown ride the winner. It was the first time his daughters have been to the Melbourne Cup.

Brown was born in Wingham and started his riding career in the Mid North Coast Racing Association.

There was a huge cheer at Taree’s Bushland Drive track when it was confirmed Brown had won the cup. 

Hundreds turned out at the Manning Valley Race Club in Taree for Melbourne Cup meeting – one of the biggest social events for the Manning each year.

The winners of the Fashions on the Field winners were announced just after 2pm.

The best dressed gent was Addison Sharpe and the runner up Robindro Chatterji.

Winner of the women’s Fashion on the Field was April Gallagher and the runner up Elise Gucul.

The TAB tote operators and bookies were kept busy with people placing bets throughout the day, both for local races and the Cup.