Book excerpt: The Melbourne Cup is 152 years old, but the changes in the race over the past 20 years have been the most significant in its history. No longer is it the race that stops a nation - now it s the race that captivates the world. This book covers Irishman Dermot Weld s ground-breaking win with Vintage Crop; the change in philosophy of the champion local trainers Bart Cummings and Lee Freedman; the French connection; Luca Cumani s lament; the Sheikh s quest; the growing influence of the Europeans; the demise of the Kiwis, and the amazing story of Dunaden. It is an in-depth study of the effects of the global interest in Australia s greatest race, featuring narratives from the key players.