Jockey Tommy Berry had two Melbourne Cup rides fall by the wayside but he was delighted to come home a winner aboard General Groove in the Lavazza Short Black.

Berry was booked to ride long-time Cup favourite The Offer before it was withdrawn last week.

He then secured the ride on Sea Moon, only to have the Lloyd Williams-owned galloper scratched on Monday.

While Berry was disappointed not to be riding in his first Melbourne Cup, he was happy to be part of the Cup day action.

Partnering $31 outsider General Groove, Berry made the most of an inside run to score by a head from Spy Decoder ($3.80) with Gracious Prospect ($17) a length away third.

"The Cup wasn't meant to be but that's fine," Berry said.

"I had my father (Kevin) down here today to watch me ride in my first Cup.

"It's his first time at the Melbourne Cup but unfortunately he won't get to see me in that today.

"Hopefully he'll be here next year but I think he'd be pretty happy with that win."

Despite many of the winners on Victoria Derby day and in the early races on Melbourne Cup day coming from well off the fence, Berry was happy to make full use of a rails run.

"It probably is better a few off the fence, but if it's your only option it's not a bad one," he said.