It is popularly billed as The Race That Stops A Nation. The entire country virtually is at a standstill as the most prestigious horse race in Australia takes place at Flemington Racing Course. The Melbourne Cup is held every first Tuesday of November and it is a public holiday throughout the State of Victoria and some other parts of Australia. In parts where it is not a holiday, office work and services in commercial stores stop for awhile as the major race is run at 3pm.
Starting in 1851 with premier racehorse Archer winning the first ever Melbourne Cup, this sports and social event is keenly awaited, what with all the glitter and glamour that go with it. At least 27 thoroughbreds, acclaimed in their own right, fight it out for the almost $ 3.3 million cash prize and the much coveted Cup.
The Cup, valued at $125,000, is made of 34 pieces of gold said to have been hammered for 200 hours. Trainer and jockey of the winning horse get a replica of this gold cup. Of the $3.3 million cash prize, 85% goes to the horse owner, 10% to the trainer and the jockey pockets the remaining 5%.
This race is watched live by almost 130,000 racing buffs at Flemington and millions more on television around the world. At the Flemington, spectators wear their best with matching fashionable hats. There is that festive mood with champagne and other first class wines overflowing. You see racegoers drinking at the parking lot and at the stands. And you see also some spectators stumbling and falling for having one drink too many.
What else do you expect from a nation of horse racing lovers and fine wine drinkers? It is part and parcel of the yearly racing event and the celebration that follows. Come on, join the fun. And place your bets now !!!!
- Konted
 |
| The much-coveted Gold Cup |
 |
| Parade of entries |
 |
| Flemington has a capacity of more than 130,000 spectators |
 |
| Line up of jockeys |
 |
| Olivia Newton John is a special guest |
 |
| Two horses pulling away |
 |
| Melbourne City Proper in background |
 |
| Jam-packed crowd |
 |
| Jockeying for position at the bend |
 |
| Leading the way |
 |
| Close race among thoroughbreds |
 |
| Good mounting |
 |
| Outstanding favorites |
 |
| Emirates Airlines is one of the major sponsors |
 |
| Well-trained jockeys and horses |
 |
| Nearing the finish line |
 |
| Melbourne Cup winner |
 |
| Bart Cummings - one of the best trainers in the world |
 |
| Spectators in colorful attires |
 |
| Cheering for their picked horse |
 |
| Beauties galore |
 |
| Beautiful celebrity joining fashion parade |
 |
| More celebrities |
 |
| Men in colorful suits |
 |
| Spring flowers |
 |
| Champagne overflows during the race |
 |
| One of the best dressed racegoers |
 |
| Celebrities in their best dress with fashionable hats |
 |
| More beauties |
 |
| Unique attires |
 |
| Champagne stand at the carpark |
 |
| Celebrity watches the race |
 |
| Australian Olivia Newton John performs for the crowd |
 |
| More shots |
 |
| Melbourne Cup stamp |
 |
| Fashionable hat |
 |
| Take note of the beautiful hats |
 |
| One drink too many |
 |
| Australians gather in a designated house to watch the Melbourne Cup on screen |
 |
| Betting station |
 |
| Monitoring the outcome |
 |
| Results of a preliminary race |
 |
| How they finished |
 |
Aerial view of Flemington Racecourse
*pics from google |
| 
