‘I looked up and thought, oh god’: The split-second choice that delivered Point Of Law’s historic Cup triumph

Updated November 3, 2026 — 6:48pm,first published 3:10pm

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Ethan Brown grew up riding motorbikes on the outskirts of Alice Springs before making the fortuitous career switch to horseback.

As far as engines go, he might never have steered a motor as powerful as this year’s Melbourne Cup winner Point Of Law.

When the 27-year-old screwed back the throttle at the top of the Flemington straight, the striking black stallion let down with a superior acceleration.

The resounding win proved Brown to be an excellent judge in more ways than one because winning Melbourne Cups can be a decade in the making.

Point Of Law wins the Melbourne Cup as Robbie Williams performs at Flemington

First, he chose horses over motorbikes as a teenager while living in the red centre, then he decided to try his hand on racing’s biggest stage.

“I thought I would come to Melbourne and try and ride a few winners,” Brown said

But his bravest choice of all might have unfolded in the spring when he nominated the Ciaron Maher-trained Point Of Law over another of Maher’s Melbourne Cup gallopers, Zahrann.

“Browny had a tough decision to make,” Maher said. “He was on Zahrann, he knew how good he was going, and he had to jump off [to ride Point Of Law]. So, look, he’s made the right call.”

Zahran finished second for jockey Ben Melham.

Brown finds a gap to avoid trouble

The best jockeys have the most patience and the unerring ability to find the right gaps. Brown has always had these traits.

But for a fleeting moment after the Cup field jumped from the barriers to the roar of the crowd, he looked like he was going to be posted three wide........

© The Sydney Morning Herald