Jye McNeil won his first Melbourne Cup when leading all the way on Twilight Payment for Joseph O’Brien.

"Too many emotions. It's a very big moment.

"Jess and the boy, Oakley, will be watching from home today. Unfortunately they couldn't be here. I'm sure that they along with a lot of other people will be very proud. 

"I'm not worried about the (empty) grandstand at all. To be able to get the opportunity from the Williams family to partner Twilight Payment today, not only them, but Joseph O'Brien who has done a fantastic job preparing him. It is very overwhelming.

The ride: "It was the plan to always be forward. Obviously with here he was in the market I wasn't feeling a lot of pressure but when you've got to go forward like that there is some pressure in getting it right. Thankfully it all came together.

At the clock tower: "I was confident. I had to think not to use the whip too many times. Also I was trying to use my voice to encourage him as much as possible. It was a matter of hanging on and he was very tough.  

For his son when he's old enough to watch it one day: "Well, if he follows in my footsteps, work hard and you can achieve your goals and this has been one of mine since day one.

"Massive congratulations to Mr Williams and his family."

"I'm overwhelmed with emotion at the moment. It's a miracle."

The run: "I had to be positive. He was a little bit slow into gear. He jumped with them but he was a touch slow to really find his rhythm. I encouraged him to go forward and that was the plan and then he found just a lovely tempo. He got into a fantastic rhythm, breathing really well and then it was a matter of amping the tempo up at the right stage."

Amping up the tempo got others off the bit: "That's exactly what Joseph wanted, to be at the head of the field and really get them chasing because what he lacked in class he makes up for in his staying ability. That was always the plan that Joseph expressed to me and I'm glad it worked."

Thinking 200m out: "I'm peaking on my run 200 metres out. I'm using all my might not to use too many whips, very vocal to encourage him and it is very surreal crossing the line line.

"It's been a lifelong dream to get this moment and to get this winner is very surreal."

People that have helped: "There's too many to thank. I would like to give Jess and Oakley, mum and dad, my manager Reece (Murphy), Deane Lester who helps me with my form, Jordan Dean, who helps me put my gear together and also to all the Williams family."

Watching first Melbourne Cup: Now I can't, but I can distinctly remember the build up to the Melbourne Cup and the day off school etc. I'm sure the home town are all very proud as well."

Jess and Oakley were watching: "They're at home watching. I'm sure she'll be very emotional."

Fellow riders cheering you in: "That's what it's all about. There's a few mates down by ramp and a few in the mounting yard, and that's what makes the moment."

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