The Melbourne Cup

The race that stops a nation

The first Tuesday in November is a special day in the Australian Sporting and Social Calendars. This day see the culmination of the Spring Horse Racing Carnival and the running of the million dollar Melbourne Cup. This is the race that shuts down a capital city for a day and stops the rest of the nation for 10 minutes.
The Cups is part of the Australian vernacular and is every bit entrenched into the tradition of the Australian Nation.

Racing Victoria presents the Spring Racing carnival and the Melbourne Cup sits firmly as the crown jewel of the event.

The History

The first Melbourne Cups was run in 1861. A total of 17 horses ran and the winner was Archer. Archer’s story has become the stuff of legend with claims that he was walked 800km to Melbourne from near Nowra on the cost of New South Wales, while other claims that he was shipped down to Victoria in a Steam Boat. Archer went on to win the 1862 Cup, beating the field of 20 home by 8 lengths.

Since then the cup has been run yearly to an ever growing crowd, presenting the Australian public with legends, heroes, misfits and magicians. Horses like Kingston Town, Peter Pan and Carbine have all succeeded in winning the Cup and the imaginations of a whole nation.

Phar Lap was the horse that captured the hearts of a nation during the great Depression in the early 1930’s. The Red Terror as he was known around the tracks gave some hope to those who were struggling. Phar Lap competed in the race three times winning on his second attempt in 1930 but was severely penalised by his weight handicap in the following year and finished 8th. This horse still holds the record for the most weight carried by a runner in the race.

Most recently Makybe Diva has cemented her place in the record books by being the only horse to win the race 3 times. Bart Cummings has also been crowned the King of Cups due to his record breaking for training 11 cups winners. Viewed was his last winner in 2008.

The Event

Held at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne you can expect the day fashionable, fun and full of excitement. Once on track there are numerous ways to enjoy the day and to see the big race.

The Fashion

The day is about the Horses but Fashion is at the forefront of the planning for the day. For many years it has been high on any Australian Fashionista’s calendar. Each year the fashions on the field become more competitive and creative. The event isn’t just for those who live and breathe fashion it’s for everyday folks who like to dress up. Don’t forget when planning the day that Melbourne is famous for “4 seasons in one day” so always remember that it might be sunny and warm when leaving for the track but it may turn cloudy and cold by the time the day is over. Hats have been known to become UFOs as wind dislodges them from unsuspecting heads. This just adds to the entertainment of the day.

Car Parks, Bird Cages and the Roses

This is a full day of entertainment and where you spend it is just as important as the event it’s self.

Many punters pack the car and spend the day dressed up in the car park. This is a fun way to spend the day at the cup. Picnic tables and folding chairs, cold chicken and champagne and the characters. The car park also is a convenient mooring for small pleasure boats and yachts who share in the fun of the day from the water. No vision of the race is available in the car park and those who wish to watch the race do need to move into the track.

A day on the lawn with the roses is another way to spend the Cup seating isn’t great and if you set up a spot on the lawn with a picnic blanket expect top share it with at least 40 people wanting to see the race. On the lawn you will see some of the strangest sights on the track. Crazy hats, gorilla suits and cartoon characters for miles. Perfect vantage spot for the race and great if you are in for a bit of fun.

Prefer to spend the day in lush surrounds a ticket to the Bird Cage is for you. Set up by some of the market leaders in the world you will be served the finest food and wine on offer while rubbing shoulders with celebrities from all over the world. Located in the centre of the track this area is some what protected from some of the rowdier crowd and is a brilliant location to watch the race.

You gotta be in it to win it

Every year Australian’s fork out millions of dollars betting on their favourite horses in the Melbourne Cup. Sweeps are run in offices and one “crazy” punter will always put an incredible sum of money on one horse and the rest of Australia will bet on horses in the race because they like the name or the jockey is wearing a favourite colour.
On the morning of the race everyone has become an expert in horse racing and breeding and tips fly thick and fast. So whether you are having a bet or just dropping a couple of dollars into a sweepstake be prepared to talk horse.
Travel in Melbourne

This is an event that has an international spot light shone on it so if you are travelling interstate to attend there are a few things that I would recommend to ensure that your time at the Spring Carnival is a success.

Book EARLY

With more and more people attending this event from all over Australia and the world, accommodation and car hire tend to fill up very early. A flight to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport or if booking later Avalon Airport near Geelong is best to be meet by a hire car to provide some freedom.
Check out the deals on Iwantthatflight.com.au.
VroomVroomVroom is your one stop shop for car hire in Melbourne. The car can provide an entertainment hub if spending the day in the car park but can also get you from hat shop to hairdressers in no time and will have you looking your best for the race.

Book a LIMOUSINE

Ever left Flemington Race Course on a train at Cup time. I have and as a public service I say this - “Book a limousine”. Sore feet, alcohol and everyone with the same desire of leaving the track at once makes for a less than comfortable trip back. A limousine will get those who decide not to drive in style to and from the track.

Have a comfortable pair of Shoes with you

This is for all the ladies out there who know that a pair of flat shoes just won’t cut it with a fancy frock. My tip 1 pair of ballet flats in the bottom of a bag may just save you feet. Besides who wants to walk barefoot from an event like the Melbourne Cup.