Australian race fans held their breath when the Melbourne Cup runners went to the post yesterday.

When the race was over, is was relief beyond belief as the country's favourite mare, Makybe Diva, managed to make history in the famous race by becoming the first of her sex to land the prize for a second time.

Makybe Diva galloped on strongly through the rain-softened turf to have just more than a length to spare over Dermot Weld's Vinnie Roe, and most in the crowd of 98,161 went berserk. ''She is the greatest staying mare to ever race in this country,'' said trainer Lee Freedman, who may now send his girl to France in October for a crack at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

''It's been a dream to race a horse in the Arc but I've never had one good enough - until now. This mare is the perfect horse. She can handle any sort of track and she is a very strong stayer. She would represent Australia perfectly.''

The race was a major disappointment for Frankie Dettori, who after having finished down the field, had to appear before a stewards to explain his riding of Mamool, who, it appeared, was involved in a bumping match with the 2002 Cup winner, Media Puzzle.

Damien Oliver, the rider of Media Puzzle, said: ''I got into a good position, but he copped a bump from Mamool. From there his race was over.''

Sir Michael Stoute's Distinction finished sixth, and the trainer was miffed with the job done by jockey Darren Beadman. ''He just got too far back,'' he said.