The Godolphin drought in the Melbourne Cup has ended with the Charlie Appleby-trained Cross Counter dashing clear for Kerrin McEvoy to win Tuesday's $7.3 million race.

It is 20 years since Sheikh Mohammed's team first attempted to win the Melbourne Cup and after three seconds and two thirds in the race, Cross Counter finally broke through for the team after producing a sizzling final 200 metres to finish over the top of his rivals.

On the line, Cross Counter was too good for Marmelo, with A Prince Of Arran making it an all-international finish to the race.

The signs were not great for Godolphin turning out of the straight when the Coolmore horse The Cliffsofmoher broke down and came back onto James Cummings' Avilius, forcing him back to the tail of the field.

The win of Cross Counter was the second in a row for Northern Hemisphere three-year-olds following the ground-breaking win last year of Rekindling.

On a sadder note The Cliffsofmoher, one of the leading contenders in the 2018 Melbourne Cup, broke down as they went past the post for the first time.

In a tragedy for connections, The Cliffsohmoher suffered a fractured shoulder in the incident and couldn't be saved.

The son of Galileo came into the Melbourne Cup having finished third in the Caulfield Cup and was one of two hopes for Lloyd Williams.

"It is with sadness that we confirm that The Cliffsofmoher had to be humanely euthanised after sustaining a fractured right shoulder during the running of the Melbourne Cup at Flemington," said Racing Victoria Executive General Manager of Integrity Jamie Stier in a statement.

"The horse received immediate veterinary care, however, it was unable to be saved due to the nature of the injury sustained.

"This was an unfortunate incident that happens infrequently, with Victoria having one of the best safety records in world racing.

"Our sympathies are extended to Coolmore and the Williams family, the owners of The Cliffsofmoher, jockey Ryan Moore, trainer Aidan O'Brien and his staff, who cared for the horse and are greatly saddened by their loss."

Moore escaped injury.

Racing.com