jockey Gerald Mosse kisses the winning trophy after winning the 150th running of the Melbourne Cup at Flemington aboard Americain.

Irish mare Profound Beauty was retired after the worst performance of her career in yesterday’s Melbourne Cup.

Trainer Dermot Weld said it had been the intention to end the career of Profound Beauty regardless of how she performed in the Melbourne Cup.

Weld was philosophical about the run of Profound Beauty, who finished 17th, beaten by 19 lengths.

“I’m not making excuses. You win some, you lose some,” the dual Melbourne Cup-winning trainer said.

Weld said Profound Beauty had to be eased to near the rear from her wide draw and, from that point, she was not really a factor.

Jockey Pat Smullen said Profound Beauty, who had only been unplaced once in the past two years, was unable to make an impact.

“Her run was very flat. It was not like the mare,” he said.

Americain broke new ground for France as he outstayed the local hero So You Think in the Emirates Melbourne Cup.

The majority of the 120,000 Flemington crowd for the 150th renewal of Australia’s iconic race roared as So You Think surged into the lead at the furlong pole, but he was unable to suppress Gerald Mosse and the Alain de Royer-Dupre-trained Americain, while the young upstart Maluckyday wrestled second place away from him.

Dermot Weld’s strikes with Media Puzzle and Vintage Crop were the only two previous European victories and there was little to smile about from the display of the non-Gallic raiders from perhaps the strongest overseas party to date with Godolphin’s Holberg and Frankie Dettori next best in sixth, just ahead of Luca Cumani’s Manighar.

So You Think, sent off at 2-1 on course and the shortest-priced favourite in the race for 39 years, had appeared destined for equine immortality after winning the second of his Cox Plates just a week and a half ago and following up in a canter in Saturday’s Mackinnon Stakes.

Punters were trusting the intuition of 12-times Cup winning-trainer Bart Cummings as to whether he could step up from 10 furlongs to two miles and he very nearly did, despite pulling hard through much of the race.

Although the two-and-three-quarter-length triumph did not lift the roof like So You Think would have done, this was not a wholly foreign affair as seven months ago Americain was bought for $225,000 by Australian pair Gerry Ryan and Kevin Bamford, who returned the ex-Andre Fabre inmate back to France after he had stagnated during a spell in America.

Royer-Dupre, whose list of major racing achievements have been mostly at home and include the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, acceded to the desire of the owners to head Down Under and he took a leaf out of Cummings’ book by producing him to win a very recent prep-run in the Geelong Cup.

But rather than copying the usually forceful style of Australian jockeys, Mosse sat as quietly as he would have done in a slowly-run contest at Longchamp, stalking So You Think until he wound Americain up for a decisive finishing kick.

“Jockeys have short memories and the last win is always the best one,” joked Mosse.

“I’ve won some big races around the world but I want to thank everyone here for being so fantastic, especially the owner for having confidence in a French jockey.

“I was pretty confident as every time I have ridden him he has got better. I did not want So You Think to get too far ahead but with 300 metres left, I knew the race was over.

“It was really easy. I waited for the gaps and the horse had everything.”

Royer-Dupre added: “When you come from so far away, you don’t know what to expect but I was very impressed – the atmosphere is incredible.

“I don’t think it suited him to be trained in America, but I remembered seeing him when he ran in France.

“I first ran him in a Listed race in June. He was only fifth but I knew he was a good horse then.

“We have a Group One on Arc weekend, and I thought he would win that, but the owners said it would be a great experience to go to Melbourne.

“The quarantine is very heavy and he had to be managed for a long time. The preparation over such a period by my staff is the most important achievement.”

Of future plans, Irish Australian Ryan said: “He’ll go to the Hong Kong Vase now, then back to France. Hopefully he’ll have another crack here next year.”

So You Think’s jockey Steven Arnold said: “I thought he ran a super race. It was a bit stop-start and he kind of lost his rhythm.

“He kicked away turning in, but he peaked at the furlong pole and the winner was too strong.”

Owner Dato Tan Chin Nam added: “I would say there is a good chance he could be retired now.”

Both Cumani and the Godolphin camp have been second on several occasions but they never really looked like ending the sequence this time.

Cumani’s experience was forgettable on several counts – his other runner Bauer was withdrawn in the morning when his hoof was still causing problems while third-string Drunken Sailor missed the cut by one.

“Manighar ran a good race, seventh’s not a bad place to run,” said Cumani.

“Damien Oliver said the ground was very loose. He followed Americain as long as he could, but there were no excuses. We’ll just have to come back next year.”

Dettori said of Holberg: “The ground was too soft. He stayed on strongly but with better ground, I think he could have finished in the frame.”

Illustrious Blue signed off for William Knight in ninth, while Weld’s Profound Beauty was 17th of the 23 starters.

“There are no excuses – you win some, you lose some,” reflected Weld.

“She was drawn 22 and was too far back, but that wasn’t by design. Full marks to the winner.”

Maluckyday’s connections nearly opted out of the Cup despite gaining an automatic place over the weekend as he is only a callow four-year-old.

Jockey Luke Nolen said: “The physical effort of the winner was too much, but this’ll be one for next year’s race.”

A meeting of the Young Irish Executives was held in Melbourne at the beginning of July.

[Show as slideshow]

Two Irish backpackers who arrived in Australia only a few days ago has had to flee their rented accommodation when a fire they lit in the fireplace got out of control.

Beachside St Kilda is popular with backpackers.

One of the Irish nationals, aged in her early 20’s, said they had used what they thought was lighter fluid to help get the fire going. Fire authorities believe that the liquid was in fact petrol.

They then noticed the couch behind them was on fire.

Flames soon engulfed the lounge-room before spreading to other rooms and the roof.

Though the pair managed to escape safely, almost all their possessions were lost in the blaze which virtually destroyed the small single-storey brick veneer dwelling.

They are now staying with friends in Melbourne.

Firefighters took just 20 minutes to contain the fire but remained at the scene for more than three hours to ensure all traces of the fire were extinguished and to assist with the clean-up.

The damage bill has been estimated at up to $400,000.

Many Irish newcomers to Australia are able to dig up a distant relative or two that they can stay with while they’re getting settled. But if not, then a hostel should be your first port of call.
Australia’s hostels are highly regulated so the vast majority are clean and comfortable, and while the prices may not compare to the guesthouses of South-East Asia, they are still pretty reasonably-priced at around $20-30 a night per person.
Unofficial hostels are common in high-density backpacker areas like Bondi but these should probably be avoided as most aren’t fitted with smoke alarms and are usually overcrowded and unsanitary. You are better off staying in hostels that are listed in the travel guides or as recommended by friends and fellow travellers.
Generally, hostels require a deposit for a room key, averaging at $10, and in some cases a deposit for cutlery use is compulsory.
To save money on dining out, stay in a hostel with a clean and large kitchen. While many travellers prefer to sleep in their own sleeping blanket, it is note-worthy to remember that many hostels do not allow them.
Most dorms are mixed but if you’re female and travelling alone, you might feel more comfortable in an all-girl dorm. Couples who are travelling may find that booking a double room works out just as cheap as a dorm but early booking is advisable. Reduced weekly rates are also offered.
Long-term deals (up to three months) are available, while some hostels offer free accommodation if you agree to take on house duties like  cleaning and cooking.
SOME hostel chains have a membership scheme where you pay a fee to get discounted rates. Membership to YHA for example entitles you to discounts on accommodation, trips and activities. Some hostels offer storage facilities free of charge for short stays but often charge for longer stays so it may be worth checking out alternative locations such as train stations or travellers’ centres.
Hostels are a great place to meet people and swap traveller’s tips. Quite often they have a jobs board where local employers advertise vacancies suitable for backpackers. Many also have travel desks on site where you can book trips in the area as well. Notices are also regularly placed seeking shared lifts, with petrol costs divided for the entire journey. There are also regular advertisements for cars and camping equipment for sale.
MOST recently arrived ex-pats find shared accommodation the best option. Quite often, the house or flat will have all the main household items – fridge, furniture, TV – so you will just need to furnish your own room.
A shared room in a house can cost anything from $80–$150 per week. For your own room, you can pay up to $200 weekly. You will have to pay a bond – usually four weeks rent – to the person whose name is on the lease. You will also have to pay your share of household utilities.
The main advantage of shared accommodation is that it’s a great way to meet the locals and you’re not tied to a lease. You’ll find share accommodation for each city advertised in the papers, local websites and on shop windows and lamp-posts.
IF you are planning to spend from three to six months or more in one city, then getting your own place is advisable.
Most travellers are dismayed to discover that the vast majority of Australian houses and apartments come unfurnished, but there are businesses that specialise in renting furnished apartments or houses to short-term residents.
Alternatively, furniture can easily be rented, or bought even cheaper at the frequent garage sales that take place all over the cities. Online boards such as Gumtree advertise cheap furniture for sale in your area and, unthinkable as it may be at home, you can often pick up tables and sofas of fairly good quality that have been left on the side of the street.
The Irish Australian Welfare Bureaus in both Sydney and Melbourne also operate a free furniture-lending service for backpackers and it is worth calling them to see what they have in stock.
Unfortunately, there is a rental crisis ongoing in most Australian capitals at the moment and finding accommodation, particularly in the summer months, can require a bit of time and patience. With over 1000 people arriving every week in both Sydney and Melbourne, space is tight and you may have to be prepared to pay a bit more and live a little further out of the city than you envisaged.
With competition so high, arm yourself with as much ammunition as possible to impress estate agents and convince them you will be a model tenant.
Dress as if you are going for a job interview, bring references from previous landlords and if possible, someone you have stayed with in Australia.
If you don’t have a job, bring a bank statement showing how much cash you have in the bank. You may still be asked to pay a few months’ rent in advance as well as your bond (usually one month’s rent – see panel) if you’re unemployed – weigh up the rental situation in the area and decide whether it is worth it.
Groups of guys will have the hardest time convincing estate agents that they are a safe bet as girls and couples are considered less likely to party hard and trash the place.
Sometimes it is a good idea to tell the agent you are considering permanent residency and bring job references that are a testimony to your good character.
You’re generally better off house-hunting mid-week if you can, and even then it’s not unusual to see twenty people queuing up to view the same property. Pick an area and visit the estate agents in person.
Websites such as www.domain.com.au will show all the properties listed in your area. View as many as you can and don’t be too picky or you’ll find yourself homeless for longer.
The main advantage of shared accommodation is that it’s a great way to meet the locals and you’re not tied to a lease. You’ll find share accommodation for each city advertised in the papers, local websites and on shop windows and lampposts.
IF you are planning to spend from three to six months or more in one city, then getting your own place is advisable.
Most travellers are dismayed to discover that the vast majority of Australian houses and apartments come unfurnished, but there are businesses that specialise in renting furnished apartments or houses to short-term residents.
Alternatively, furniture can easily be rented, or bought even cheaper at the frequent garage sales that take place all over the cities. Online boards such as Gumtree advertise cheap furniture for sale in your area and, unthinkable as it may be at home, you can often pick up tables and sofas of fairly good quality that have been left on the side of the street.
The Irish Australian Welfare Bureaus in both Sydney and Melbourne also operate a free furniture-lending service for backpackers and it is worth calling them to see what they have in stock.
Unfortunately, there is a rental crisis ongoing in most Australian capitals at the moment and finding accommodation, particularly in the summer months, can require a bit of time and patience. With over 1,000 people arriving every week in both Sydney and Melbourne, space is tight and you may have to be prepared to pay a bit more and live a little further out of the city than you envisaged.
With competition so high, arm yourself with as much ammunition as possible to impress estate agents and convince them you will be a model tenant.
Dress as if you are going for a job interview, bring references from previous landlords and, if possible, someone you have stayed with in Australia.
If you don’t have a job, bring a bank statement showing how much cash you have in the bank. You may still be asked to pay a few months’ rent in advance as well as your bond (usually one month’s rent – see panel) if you’re unemployed – weigh up the rental situation in the area and decide whether it is worth it.
Groups of guys will have the hardest time convincing estate agents that they are a safe bet as girls and couples are considered less likely to party hard and trash the place.
Sometimes it is a good idea to tell the agent you are considering permanent residency and bring job references that are a testimony to your good character.
You’re generally better off house-hunting mid-week if you can, and even then it’s not unusual to see 20 people queuing up to view the same property. Pick an area and visit the estate agents in person.
Websites such as www.domain.com.au will show all the properties listed in your area. View as many as you can and don’t be too picky or you’ll find yourself homeless for longer.

Jim Stynes (bottom left) with his mum, dad and siblings in Melbourne in 2006.

Jim Stynes has revealed that he will be taking a break from his day-to-day duties as chairman of the Melbourne Demons Football Club as he begins a battle with cancer.

At a press conference in the MCG today, the Dubliner revealed that he discovered a lump on his back three weeks ago and that he will go into hospital as soon as possible to begin treatment.

An emotional Jim addressed assembled media at the MCG where he spoke of the tough battle ahead.

“Since I’ve come to this country I’ve had so many amazing experiences and I’ve been very fortunate to be at this great club and all that it gave me,” he began, with his wife Sam at his side.

“I met some amazing people, and I got to spend some amazing time with Reach [Jim's youth charity foundation] and with young people.

“I’ve always stood back in awe at some of the challenges that these young kids face, and I always wondered what it would be like to have those challenges. I always felt that I didn’t really earn that respect to be part of their journeys, because I hadn’t been through what they had.

“I’d never really had what you might call a significant challenge, but three weeks ago I found out that I had a lump on my back. I had it checked and I found out that it was cancerous so I was sent in to do a whole load of follow up tests.

“I thought it might have been located in just that one area, but it’s not. It’s spread quite a bit and I have a journey to go on now. I need to understand it and work with it. I’ve got some of the best people in the country working with me, and between them all they’re doing the best they can.

“I’ve got a great family and a great friendship group who are right behind me so I couldn’t be in better hands.

“I’ve got  a new focus now. I have to put all my energies into getting my body right and into healing. You probably wouldn’t know there was anything wrong with me, I feel great.

“I’ve lost a few kilos because I’m on a special diet, but other than I feel 100 per cent. But obviously my body has something in it that it needs to release and I’ve got to find a way of doing that.

“I’m not stepping down form Melbourne. I’m not walking away. But I will be taking a break and I’ll be taking the rest of the season off so I can focus on this and focus on my family.

“Hopefully I’ll be back in a couple of weeks doing normal things again and you won’t even know there was anything wrong. I’ll be around the club, and I’ll be around Reach, but I wont be involved in the day-to-day running of things.

“The one thing I’d like is for people not to treat me any differently. I’m not walking around with a contagious disease, and I don’t want people to look at me in a weird way. I’m still the same guy and I’m going to get on with my life.”

The 42-year-old, who won the Brownlow Medal in 1991, holds the AFL record for playing the most consecutive games, 244.

Only hours into the New Year, two young Irishmen – cousins and best friends – were killed in a horrific car accident in country Victoria. Michael Curtis, 20, from Carlow town and JJ Leonard, 19, from Athy in Co Kildare, died when the red Ford Falcon in which they were travelling lost control on a bend near Balliang East in Victoria. Police were called to the scene – just outside the town of Bacchus Marsh and halfway between Geelong and Melbourne – after passers-by discovered the crash about 7am on New Year’s morning. The families of the two victims – including Michael’s mother Catherine and JJ’s mother Tracy – travelled to Australia once news of the tragedy reached them. The repatriation of the two victims’ bodies has now taken place, the Irish Echo understands. Police are still conducting an investigation into the incident. The two cousins had been living in Bacchus Marsh for nearly a year and had moved into an apartment in the town above the Young and Main Hotel. Michael had been in Australia since early January 2007, while JJ had followed his cousin Down Under a few weeks later. The pair were said to have been enjoying life in Australia and did not appear to have any plans to return to Ireland. Michael is even understood to have applied for residency. On hearing the tragic news, the Young and Main Hotel held a function for the boys to raise funds towards the expenses of their travelling parents. It is understood, however, that the two boys, who had been working as steel fixers on a building site, had their funeral and other expenses covered by their union. In a sad turn to the story it also emerged that Mr Leonard had a nine-month-old baby girl in Ireland, whom he had yet to meet. Meanwhile Mr Curtis’s family had just been recovering from the loss of his eight-year-old cousin a few weeks before.

Preparations are under way in Melbourne to revive a St Patrick’s Day festival in the city for 2009.

A new committee of like-minded people has just been established with the aim of reviving Irish festivities in the Victorian capital for next year.

A public meeting has been called for May 5 at the Celtic Club from 7.30pm to harness community support.

Anyone interested in taking part or helping out with next year’s festivities is invited to come along.

Convenor Avril Mulcahy, who has been working with the Irish Australian Chamber of Commerce, told the Irish Echo that there has been a disturbing absence of community celebrations in Melbourne.

“The last St Patrick’s Festival in Melbourne was in 2005, celebrated by over 3,000 Irish Australians. But due to a number of major festivals, for example, Grand Prix and the Commonwealth Games, overshadowing the Irish celebrations, plus a lack of volunteerism and general support, our national festival ceased to exist in the Victorian capital.”

Ms Mulcahy, from Tipperary, said that the newly-formed committee, comprised of both new and old members, was instilled with “bucket loads of enthusiasm” to rejuvenate the festival for all to enjoy.

“Essentially, the committee understand the importance of the support from all Irish related groups, in order to provide a festival that promotes an eclectic mix of fusing traditional and modern values,” she said.

“Next year, our goal is to organise a stand-alone event to showcase our unique Irish culture in a way that represents the modern Ireland of today.”

For more information, contact Avril Mulcahy by email at avrilmulcahy@hotmail.com or attend the meeting on May 5.