Green Moon wins the Melbourne Cup

Former Crown Casino boss Lloyd Williams is over the moon with yesterday's Melbourne Cup result, after he claimed the coveted $6 million win at Flemington for the fourth time.

Despite thousands of punters putting their money on favourites Americain and Dunaden, it was Green Moon who stormed over the line to claim the trophy, followed by Fiorente ($31) and Jakkalberry ($81) in second and third place respectively.

Basking in the afterglow of yesterday's win, Williams told News Limited the biggest day on the country's racing calendar was also the most important day in his books.

"I've been racing horses for 47 years and the Melbourne Cup means everything to me," Williams explained.

"I'm from Melbourne, I've been on the VRC committee, and the cup is such a great race.

"It's not hard to win this race, I've been very fortunate to win it four times, and I can say the feeling is priceless," he added.

Hong Kong-based jockey Brett Prebble said riding home the winning horse in the country's biggest race was something he had worked hard towards.

"It's a lifelong dream," he said.

"I was very confident at the mile, then at the 1,200m I thought the only thing that could get him (Green Moon) beaten was his stamina if he didn't stay the trip, but the feeling he was giving me at the 1,200 was the sort of feeling you only get from very good horses.

"I've been very fortunate to ride some champions and he's up there in the top ten."

The victory was far from a stroke of luck, with Williams having implemented the winning strategy more than 18 months ago, starting with the purchase of a tried racehorse in England – Green Moon.

Williams said Green Moon won the Newcastle Cup and ran second in the Caulfield Cup last year, but at the time the horse wasn't ready for the prestigious Melbourne Cup.

"I only gave him the one run in the autumn, which is something I like to do to save them for the spring carnival, and he won the Blamey Stakes," William explained.

Green Moon took a break from racing this year in preparation for the big race, something which paid off, Williams said.

The winning horse owner also won the Melbourne Cup in 1981 with Just a Dash, in 1985 with What a Nuisance, and in 2007 with Efficient.