British stallion Point of Law, who was bred by the King, has crossed the finish line with room to spare to win the Melbourne Cup crown.

The four-year-old was streaks ahead of Zahrann, Juju Kibo and Sons and Lovers.

The horse justified its favouritism by mowing down frontrunner Royal Supremacy to win the $10 million Flemington race.

Master trainer Ciaron Maher, who saddled a record seven runners, won Australia’s greatest trot for the second time.

He became the first trainer in the Cup’s 166-year history to snare the trifecta, with Zahrann finishing second and Juja Kibo third.

Point Of Law was previously owned and bred by Britain’s King Charles.

Maher said he wondered if the King would be ruing his decision to part with the horse after the prestigious and rich win.

The Maher camp bought Point Of Law from the royal stable after the son of Frankel won the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy (2615m) at Newmarket in July.

Royal Supremacy, who led by as much as 20 lengths before the field reached the home straight, was fifth and Shockletz was sixth under Harry Coffey.

Point Of Law finished strongly under Ethan Brown, who almost died in a horrendous fall two years ago.

There was rain about early in the day but it held off during the Cup, which was run on a track that was rated a soft 5.

Point of Law crossed the line with room to spare. Photo: Nine

The triumph came on a day of controversy when a contender from high-profile trainer Chris Waller was sensationally scratched from the lineup over an “honest mistake”.

Waller’s horse Asterix was found to have the medication Penetrene on its forelegs hours before the race.

Penetrene is used to relieve muscle soreness and inflammation and is generally allowed to be used on horses — but no treatments are allowed on race days.

Racing Victoria chief steward Rob Montgomery told the Nine Network that early investigations had indicated Asterix was mistakenly treated with the anti-inflammatory.

“Unfortunately, there was a topical treatment applied to the horse this morning which is allowed during the week but not on race day,” Montgomery said.

“It just is an honest mistake but unfortunately has big consequences for the connections of the horse.

“Some of the owners were over from New Zealand to watch their horse run in the Melbourne Cup.”

Asterix had been a $51 chance.

On a bleak day in Melbourne, the bold and bright fashions brought the colour.

The Birdcage played host to well-known faces including AFL star Lachie Neale’s ex Jules Neale, wearing red from head to toe in a so-called revenge dress at her first Melbourne Cup.

Hollywood actor Jamie Foxx turned up in a gold blazer while former Foreign Affairs minister Julie Bishop opted for soft florals.

But fashion designer Pip Edwards stole the show in a blue pants-and-hat combination.

British singer Robbie Williams boosted spirits in the Mounting Yard in the cup’s biggest pre-race performance, with an hour-long show following the final racing event.

Robbie Williams rocked the Melbourne Cup with two performances. Photo: AAP

Attendance at the track dipped slightly to about 84,000 in 2025 after 90,000 people came through the gates in 2024.

Those numbers were still well below the record attendance of 122,000 in 2003.

-with AAP