Europe's challengers were out of luck again as bottom-weight Brew took the beer money in the Foster's Melbourne Cup at Flemington in Australia today.

The James Fanshawe-trained Arctic Owl fared best of the European raiders, making good late headway in the straight to take fifth place in a field of 22.

Irish hope Enzeli, the former Ascot Gold Cup winner, finished 15th, Godolphin's Lightning Arrow, the mount of Frankie Dettori, was 17th, while Martin Pipe's strongly-fancied Far Cry beat only one home in finishing 21st.

Brew (14-1), tenth in the race last year, gave jockey Kerrin McEvoy victory in his first ride in the race, as his mount trained in New Zealand by Michael Moroney got the better of Yippyio (10-1) by two lengths.

Moroney also took third place with Second Coming (20-1) with the favourite, Kaapstad Way, fourth. Reflecting on Arctic Owl's effort, Fanshawe, whose Travelmate had also finished fifth in last year's running, said: He was going nice and smooth down the back straight, but was stopped on the bend.

I'm delighted, he ran a very good race. He just flattened out in the last 100 yards after losing his rhythm round the bend.

Asked if he would return to try to make it third time lucky in the two-mile event, Fanshawe said: Yes, I'd love to come back. You can't win it if you're not here.

Arctic Owl's jockey, David Harrison, felt the gelding may have run into at least a place had the scrimmaging not taken place.

Winning rider McEvoy said: It's the best feeling ever. To win the Melbourne Cup on my first ride is just unbelievable, it's unreal.

It's a real dream come true, added trainer Moroney.