A familiar name graced the winner’s stall on Melbourne Cup Day 2026, as Billycart triumphed in the $200,000 Listed TAB One Pool Trophy.

The progressive filly is trained at Ballarat by Taige Weir, daughter of Darren Weir, who famously prepared Prince Of Penzance for his 2015 Melbourne Cup victory.

This marked the first Flemington winner and Stakes success for Taige, whose two prior Flemington runners had finished in minor placings.

“That is amazing,” she stated.

“I knew she has a bit of ability, this horse, but to do it today (is incredible).”

“I thought the experience might get the better of her. There’s a lot of people here today, but to her credit, she just let rip and that’s the horse we know.”

“I’m so glad that she could get the job done today.”

Tuesday’s victory was Billycart’s second from as many starts, with her only other racetrack appearance being a decisive 2-3/4-length win at Kilmore on October 13.

The Dundeel filly, a $11 chance, was an equally dominant winner at Flemington, crossing the line 2-1/4 lengths clear of Mister Whiskers ($6.50). The $3.40 favourite, Star Of Macedon, was a further 1-1/4 lengths back in third.

Dean Yendall, one of Darren Weir’s preferred jockeys during his training career, partnered Billycart for both wins and derived considerable satisfaction from the result.

“Words can’t describe it,” he remarked.

“I get emotional when I ride for people that I love and it’s obviously been scripted through my latter career, through the obvious guys that I ride for, but it’s only been the last sort of six weeks that I’ve really ridden for Tage.”

“They’re throwing me rides and I’m doing my best on them and winning on them, so that’s a big plus.”

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