Caulfield Cup 2008

As the horses approach the finish line, neck and neck, the crowd rose to their feet, lies on their toes to get a better view and a crescendo of voices cheering on the riders and mounts to home built in a deafening roar as the winner is declared ... or not. Anyone who attends the Melbourne Cup, must enjoy the rush d'une good photo finish - and, unless they have major issues running on the horse that has not quite do it - but it's a frustrating time, and the difference between rich or poor, and not only about winning or losing. Since the Melbourne Cup began in 1861, there were a number of close shaves winning post. Here are five moments of breathtaking most famous.

1. In rimfire, 1948

Image: The Age of vines

Ridden 15 years, Ray Neville, Rimfire was not expected to win at all, with a score of huge 80 / 1. Ranked as one of the closest finishes in racing history, it was difficult to say what horse won and there was much hype around the camera position to the finish line. It was not helped that this was the first time a camera had been used to determine the winner of the Cup, not everyone was convinced that the end result was conclusive. Jack Thompson, riding Dark Marne, which finished second juror when he was the real winner. Neville Young had only participated in the race to gain some experience, having raced only nine times before the big day.

2. EVENING PEAL, 1956

Images of the Flemington Racecourse in the 1950s: Victoria Image

Beat Redcraze by a neck, Evening Peal broke a number of records in the 1956 Cup. She became the first mare to win the Melbourne Cup since Rainbird in 1945, and was the first horse to win both Cup Oaks and Melbourne Cup the same year. The prize money this year £ 15.500.

3. EMPIRE ROSE, 1988

Empire Rose wins the Melbourne Cup

Known for its endurance, Empire Rose was a huge chestnut mare, only fit in the choir of Flemington. Trained by one of the trainers lead New Zealand, Laurie Laxon, Empire Rose showed promise when she finished fifth and second in the Melbourne Cup in 1986 and 1987, respectively. The top of his form in 1988, she snatched victory from a fast race Natski by only half a head. The crowd was convinced Natski actually won the race until his back was ahead of the English Rose at the end, but showed pictures of English Rose, extending its huge head to come from the other side of the line. It was the first mare to win the race for 23 years, since the light Fingers claimed victory in 1965.

4. Strength and Power, 1997

Images: Courier Mail and Australian Horse Racing

Thought to be one of the closest ever race win in 1997, strength and power to beat Doriemus serious contender by a nose to claim the Melbourne Cup. Often considered one of the greatest thoroughbred racing in Australia in the 1990s, strength and power dominated the games in 1997 and 1998, when he won the Caulfield Cup Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup . His jockey, Jim Cassidy has become as famous as the horse, winning the title to reflect the pumper his antics on the track. Cassidy rolled in three victories. In 2002, strength and power has been inducted into Australian Hall of Fame Racing.

5. Consulted, 2008.