Bart Cummings enjoyed an outstanding year in 2009, but it was the Mark Kavanagh-trained Shocking that claimed the Melbourne Cup.
In typical Cummings style, the master trainer swooped with a shock win in the Caulfield Cup, before backing up with a Cox Plate triumph. Such was the euphoria surrounding the 'Cups King', some had even begun to compare his iconic status to that of Australia's greatest ever cricketer, Sir Donald Bradman.
By year's end, Cummings had swiftly surpassed a remarkable 250 Group One victories. But on Cup day the fairytale wasn't to be despite him having three runners, including 2008 champion Viewed.
The Golden Slipper once again headed north to Queensland, where Bruce and Jason McLachlan tasted success with Phelan Ready.
