Christophe Lemaire has ridden Group One winners all over the world but perhaps none in such unusual circumstances as his Melbourne Cup win on Dunaden.Lemaire arrived in Melbourne 24 hours before the Cup as the standby rider for Craig Williams, who was in court trying to gain a stay of proceedings to allow him to ride the French horse.Williams failed and Lemaire set about learning as much as he could about the Flemington track, enlisting the help of 1999 Cup-winning rider John Marshall."I started

Christophe Lemaire has ridden Group One winners all over the world but perhaps none in such unusual circumstances as his Melbourne Cup win on Dunaden.

Lemaire arrived in Melbourne 24 hours before the Cup as the standby rider for Craig Williams, who was in court trying to gain a stay of proceedings to allow him to ride the French horse.

Williams failed and Lemaire set about learning as much as he could about the Flemington track, enlisting the help of 1999 Cup-winning rider John Marshall.

"I started riding the year John Marshall won the Cup," Lemaire said.

"He told me to wait and I shouldn't take the lead before the clock tower."

It was a close thing with Dunaden winning the Cup by the barest margin over Red Cadeaux.

Marshall said he and Lemaire walked the track and he pointed out the pitfalls.

"I was glad to help," Marshall said.

"I pointed out that it's a very long straight and that you have to resist the temptation to go too soon."

Lemaire learned the lesson well and didn't lose heart when Red Cadeaux got in front of his mount.

"He got a neck in front but Dunaden responded well," Lemaire said.

"It's hard for Craig.

"But two years ago I had a fall before the Arc meeting and lost eight wins, four of them Group Ones, all because of a collar bone.

"I know what it's like and he must be devastated but he will recover."

But Williams might find it hard to get back on Dunaden if he comes back next year.

"Emotionally it is the second-best day of my career," Lemaire said.

"The first was the Prix de Diane which is the French Oaks and all my family was there.

"But today is very special.

"You have to see it to believe it. The crowd, the atmosphere, the passion - you can feel it.

"It is something special."