Starting the shortest-priced favourite since Phar Lap, Incentivise was beaten by four lengths by the Chris Waller-trained champion Verry Elleegant, who added the Lexus Melbourne Cup to an already bursting trophy cabinet.
However, Incentivise lost no admirers with his performance, sitting outside the leader and fighting on strongly late to hold off Spanish Mission for second.
"He was absolutely super and we couldn't be prouder of him. His first go at that trip carrying that weight, he has been absolutely phenomenal today," Coleman said.
"Brett (Prebble) rode him to perfection today, he's just run into an absolute champion in Verry Elleegant. She's just a phenomenon this mare, and Chris has done such a wonderful job. We just take our hat off to her."
Coleman reported the multiple Group 1 winner had pulled up well from the race.
"We will take him home and see how he is, but he will be in the paddock very shortly."
