UPDATE 2-Horse racing-Vow and Declare wins Melbourne Cup thriller

Australian stayer Vow and Declare won the 159th running of the Melbourne Cup by a neck at Flemington racecourse on Tuesday, holding firm in a thrilling sprint to the line.

Master of Reality, ridden by Frankie Dettori, looked to have it won at the 100-meter mark but Vow and Declare made a last desperate kick to seal the A$8 million ($5.52 million) race with Prince of Arran coming home strongly in a photo finish. Initially named runner-up, Master of Reality was later demoted to fourth after a protest for interference in the final 100m, with Prince of Arran promoted to second and Il Paradiso third.

Vow and Declare, the Danny O'Brien-trained gelding, worked hard to win the grueling 3,200-metre handicap, dubbed "the race that stops the nation", and gave jockey Craig Williams his maiden Melbourne Cup triumph after years of trying. In 2011 Williams had been due to ride eventual winner Dunaden but had to step aside because of a suspension.

"It's an amazing win, a special thing to happen," said O'Brien. "I really can't believe it, I just feel incredibly blessed to have a horse good enough to be in it.

"The last 100 (meters) he just wouldn't give in." While a festive public holiday crowd soaked up the spring sunshine, the Cup ran amid heated debate about animal welfare following an investigative report into the mistreatment of retired racehorses and the alleged slaughter of hundreds of thoroughbreds at local abattoirs.

Animal rights advocates demonstrated outside the gates at Flemington, chanting "Nup to the Cup!" and demanding an end to the race. ($1 = 1.4486 Australian dollars)