Delta Blues has become the first Japanese horse to win Australasia’s premier race, the Melbourne Cup, after nudging out stablemate and compatriot Pop Rock by a nose at Flemington Racecourse.

The result was not only a quinella for Japanese racing but also for trainer Katsuhiko Sumii, only the ninth time in the 145-year history of the Cup that a trainer has managed the remarkable feat. The result must also rank among the greatest in the history of Japanese racing overseas.

As the field entered the home straight, famed European stayer and joint favourite Yeats, ridden by controversial jockey Kieran Fallon, had briefly grabbed the lead but was quickly swamped by the field

With less than 400 metres of the 3,200-metre race remaining, Delta Blues broke away from the field with both horse and jockey Yasunari Iwata giving their all. But they had to fight for victory with Melbourne Cup double winner Damien Oliver and his mount Pop Rock finishing strongly.

Pop Rock had caught up with Delta Blues in the final metres but just failed to overtake the six-year-old. Oliver quickly acknowledged his victorious foe, grabbing Iwata’s arm and raising it in the air to salute victory.

"It was a great battle up the straight. I thought I was going to pick him up,’’ said Oliver after the race. I got to him but the other horse really fought when I came to him and he's just a bit more seasoned and a bit tougher than my horse,"

Iwata, who only arrived in Australia the day before race, said it was the biggest win of his career - and was in tears as the winner was paraded in the mounting yard.

Best of the local contenders was Maybe Better in third place with Britain’s best finisher, Land’N’Stars, fifth. Early pacesetter Zabeat finished last.

The biggest disappointment of the race was Caulfield Cup winner and joint favourite Tawqeet,which finished in 19th place. The horse required a vet’s clearance prior to the race after twisting on a horseshoe during track work on Monday and was never in the hunt. Jockey Dwayne Dunn admitted that the foot injury had taken its toll on his mount .

Geordieland also disappointed in 18th place, jockey Frankie Dettori having to ease up his mount after detecting bleeding from a nostril.