1979 Melbourne Cup

1979 Melbourne Cup
Melbourne Cup
LocationFlemington Racecourse
Date5 Nov 1979
Distance3200m
Winning horseHyperno
Winning time3:21.8
Final odds7/1
JockeyHarry White
TrainerBart Cummings
OwnerSir Thomas & Lady North, Mr & Mrs George Herscu & Dr Ray Lake
ConditionsFast
SurfaceTurf

"Tackled by Red Nose, Salamander and on the outside is Hyperno, here's Cubacade with a powerful run from Warri Symbol. It's Red Nose and Salamander together at the 200, on the outside Hyperno and Salamander going stride for stride from Red Nose. Salamander a head in front, Hyperno's grabbing him, they go to the post together... Hyperno if anything's won it a nose to Salamander!"

Commentator Bill Collins describes the climax of the race

The 1979 Melbourne Cup was a handicap horse race which took place on Tuesday, 5 November 1979 over 3200m, at Flemington Racecourse.

The race was won by the New Zealand bred gelding Hyperno, trained by Bart Cummings and ridden by Harry White. The runner up was Salamander trained by T J Hughes, and third place went to Red Nose trained by T Green. The winning margin was a short half head with a further one and three quarter lengths to third place.

During the race Hyperno collided with the champion racehorse Dulcify, who had to be put down following the race.