Top-class galloper Doriemus started out in New Zealand. He made his name as a winner in Australia, taking the Caulfield Cup-Melbourne Cup double in 1995.
He was only the eighth horse in history to complete that double. We’re looking a little closer at Doriemus, especially at his Melbourne Cup success.
About Doriemus
Doriemus was foaled in New Zealand on November 17th, 1990. He had stamina in his pedigree. By Norman Pentaquad, many thought he was ideally bred for top races such as the Melbourne Cup from the beginning.
Early on, he won two from three in New Zealand. He was then taken to Lee Freedman’s yard in Australia, winning his first race by four lengths.
After winning twice as a four-year-old, Doriemus got into the Caulfield Cup field. He carried 52kg to win the 1995 Caulfield Cup, ridden well by Damien Oliver. In winning the race, he defeated winners of the West and South Australian Derby races as well as other top-class types.
He followed that win with a famous Melbourne Cup success. In all, he ran 44 times in his career and won 9 times. As well as his Caulfield Cup-Melbourne Cup double, he also landed the 1996 Queen Elizabeth Stakes and the Turnbull Stakes the same year.
Doriemus’ Melbourne Cup Performances
Doriemus had taken the Caulfield Cup and was in very fine form. He had been penalised 2.5kg for that win, taking his racing weight to 54.5kg, but was allowed to take his chance in the race
The ground had been affected by rain and there was a strong field, even for the Cup. The Victoria Derby winner, Nothin’ Leica Dane was in the field, while 1993 Cup winner Vintage Crop also lined up.
Trainer Lee Freedman and jockey Damien Oliver had teamed up for major victories before. They’d won the Caulfield Cup with Paris Lane and Mannerism, while Doriemus was about to provide the jockey with his first of three Cup winners. It was also the third of five for Freedman.
In winning the 1995 Melbourne Cup, Doriemus completed a memorable Caulfield-Melbourne Cup double. His achievement is not to be underestimated.
Attempting More Cup Glory
Doriemus held his form in 1996, winning the Queen Elizabeth and the Turnbull. He was fourth at Caulfield and sixth at Flemington however when attempting to repeat his double.
In 1997, he was very unlucky. Having managed his own Caulfield Cup-Melbourne Cup double two years earlier, he played second-fiddle to Might And Power in both races.
The 1997 Melbourne Cup in fact is remember for jockey Greg Hall waving his whip, believing he had won on Doriemus. The photo finish showed he had lost by a heartbreakingly narrow margin.
