French star Dunaden rewrote the record books with a stunning victory in the $2.5 million BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m).The Mikel Delzangles-trained seven-year-old became the first original topweight to win the race that was first run in 1879 when he powered over the top of his rivals in the 2400-metre event at Caulfield.The son of Nicobar joined Viewed (2009) as the only Melbourne Cup winners to return and win the Caulfield Cup in the past 50 years and matched the efforts of Gay Icarus, Ming Dynasty

French star Dunaden rewrote the record books with a stunning victory in the $2.5 million BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m).

The Mikel Delzangles-trained seven-year-old became the first original topweight to win the race that was first run in 1879 when he powered over the top of his rivals in the 2400-metre event at Caulfield.

The son of Nicobar joined Viewed (2009) as the only Melbourne Cup winners to return and win the Caulfield Cup in the past 50 years and matched the efforts of Gay Icarus, Ming Dynasty (1980) and Northerly (2002) as the only horses in the past 45 years to carry 58kg to victory.

And he did it all from the outside barrier in the field of 18.

"This horse is remarkable, he does remarkable things," Delzangles stable representative Geoffrey Fabre, who was the man who selected barrier 22 on Wednesday, said.

"You know he's broken records today with the first allocated topweight ever to win the Caulfield Cup? He's just extraordinary.

"He's just thrived since he's been at Werribee and that is the difference. I think he hates France and loves Australia!"

Dunaden presented Craig Williams, who famously missed the winning Melbourne Cup ride due to suspension, with back-to-back Caulfield Cup wins following his win aboard Southern Speed last year.

Williams dropped out to be among the tailenders from his wide barrier and waited until the 600m to make a serious move, when he peeled Dunaden to the outside.

He got a ride into the straight on the back of $16 chance Alcopop, who was hailed the winner after dashing to the front at the 200m, but the South Australian couldn't withstand finish of Dunaden ($14), who reeled him in at the 50m and pulled away to score by half a length.

Lights Of Heaven ($11), who enjoyed a cosy run just forward of midfield, stuck on well for third just in advance of the other Melbourne Cup winner in the race, Americain ($21), who turned in an impressive Cup trial.

My Quest For Peace ($8.50) registered yet another top-five placing for Luca Cumani, while Zabeelionaire ($26, sixth), Folding Gear ($26, seventh) and Winchester ($51, ninth) were also solid.

Glencadam Gold ($5 into $4.40) worked hard to find the lead from the second-widest barrier and although he enjoyed a good run in the middle stages, he was struggling from the 300m and finished 15th.

Williams was thrilled celebrate another feature success aboard Dunaden.

"There's nothing better than winning races like this but to enjoy it with a horse that I've got such a great affinity with and also the people around that make it that more special," said Williams, who won in Hong Kong aboard Dunaden last December.

"This horse's story is amazing and it's about him today."

Attention now turns to whether Dunaden will incur a penalty for the $6.2 million Emirates Melbourne Cup, on 6 November. Northerly, the last horse to win the Caulfield Cup with 58kg, received a 2kg impost and did not run in the Melbourne Cup.

Racing Victoria chief handicapper Greg Carpenter will announce any penalty at 11.30am on Monday. (www.racingvictoria.net.au)