The racing rollercoaster reached its peak for Mark Kavanagh at Flemington on Tuesday afternoon when Shocking raced to victory in the $5.65m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m).

The win, in front of a crowd of 102,801, came just three days after the premier trainer was forced to scratch his AAMI Victoria Derby favourite Shamoline Warrior on the morning of the classic.

In a torrid spring, Kavanagh has also been forced to retire his weight-for-age star Maldivian due to injury and seen his headline horse Whobegotyou beaten as favourite in the Tatts Cox Plate.

“It's not how many times you get knocked down, it's how many times you get up,” an emotional Kavanagh said after the race.

“I was pretty disappointed about Saturday, but you can't drop your guard. When Shocking came out and won (The Lexus) it was a great boost.”

Today's win also provided redemption for jockey Corey Brown who was beaten by the narrowest of margins 12 months ago, finishing second on Bauer in the 2008 Melbourne Cup.

“I'm so happy. This is the race that stops a nation. Every jockey wants to win it and my dream's just come true,” an elated Brown said. “I wish everyone could experience what I'm feeling now.”

Shocking, a four-year-old son of Street Cry, rocketed back into Melbourne Cup calculations after winning Group 3 The Lexus Stakes (2500m) on Saturday at Flemington. It was a win that boosted the confidence of Kavanagh.

“We knew after Saturday that this horse was right,” Kavanagh said. “He ran a terrific race and we expected him to improve on that run.

“I'm very proud of the fact that I peaked him on the day. That's what Bart (Cummings) does.”

After drawing gate 22, Shocking ($10) endured a tough trip three wide without cover for a large portion of the journey, but he still proved too strong for his rivals in the two mile handicap.

Brown managed to find some cover around the home turn on the back of international visitor Crime Scene ($41) which proved the telling factor in the run to the line.

The pair cleared out from their rivals at the 300m mark and fought out a thrilling finish with the winner prevailing by three-quarters of a length from the Saaed bin Suroor-trained raider.

It's the third time Godolphin, the Dubai-based international racing powerhouse, has filled the runners-up stall in the Melbourne Cup. Central Park (1999) and Give The Slip (2001) were the others.

Another international visitor, the Herman Brown-trained Mourilyan ($21), emerged from the pack to run third, with Master O'Reilly running fourth for the second year running.

Race favourite Alcopop ($4.80) finished sixth, one place in front of Bart Cummings' defending cup champion Viewed ($6.50) who was always rearward before closing late.

Brown said he was concerned the tough trip had taken its toll on Shocking despite the race being run at an average tempo, but his confidence grew as he closed on the winning post.

“To travel three wide in a two mile race, without cover, it's a tough job and the winds very strong from the 600 (metre mark to) home, so in the back of my mind I didn't think I could win, but once he got to the 300 metre mark I thought I was the winner,” he explained.

Brown was only booked for the ride on Saturday night after his original engagement, Vigor, failed to make the field after finishing 25^th on the order of entry following final acceptances.

Michael Rodd, the 2007 Melbourne Cup winner, piloted Shocking to victory in The Lexus Stakes on Saturday, but was unable to make his weight of 51kg in the cup.