Green Moon scores big in the Melbourne Cup

Green Moon thundered down the straight to win the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday, upsetting a host of highly fancied foreign horses to bring Australia's most coveted racing prize back home.

The Robert Hickmott-trained stallion charged to the front 300 meters from the line and held off fast-finishing Fiorente to win the punishing A$6.2 million ($6.43 million) two-mile handicap by a length.

The Irish-bred six-year-old defied 22-1 odds and several quality European stayers to hand local jockey Brett Prebble his first Cup and owner Lloyd Williams his fourth.

Third-placed Jakkalberry finished a further length-and-a-quarter back.

Clad in blue and white silks, the Hong Kong-based Prebble punched the air in celebration as a packed crowd at Flemington Racecourse roared under leaden skies.

Prebble shook hands with Britain's Prince Charles in the crowd and said he knew the race won at the 1,200 meter mark.

"It's a lifelong dream," Prebble told reporters.

"I thought the only thing that could get him beaten was his stamina if he didn't stay the trip.