What Is The Melbourne Cup

Lengthy thought to be “The Race That Stops A Nation”, the Melbourne Cup is Australia’s most premier Thoroughbred horse racing occasion. Held on the primary Tuesday in November at 3pm every year, the race has been held at Flemington Racecourse because the inaugural meet in 1861 and is run over a distance of 3200 metres. The state of Victoria has had Melbourne Cup day as a public vacation because the mid 1870s, although folks throughout Australia and throughout New Zealand cease and watch the race whether or not they’re at work or at residence. In 2011 the entire prize pool for the Melbourne Cup, divided amongst the primary ten placegetters with the worth decided in keeping with their putting, was $6,175,000. The events concerned within the 2011 Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden – these events being the proprietor(s), the coach and the jockey – took $3.Three million, whereas the tenth place getter went residence with $115,000. However the Melbourne Cup is greater than only a single race in its personal proper, with the race being the important thing function of the week lengthy Melbourne Cup Carnival – itself part of the yearly Spring Racing Carnival held all through October and November. The Melbourne Cup Carnival begins with AAMI Victoria Derby Day on the Saturday earlier than the Melbourne Cup race. Following Tuesday’s headline occasion is Crown Oaks Day, held on the Thursday and usually known as “Ladies Day”. Then on the Saturday after the Melbourne Cup race is the Emirates Stakes Day, the household focussed ultimate race day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival. Greater than only a horse race Betting on the Melbourne Cup is actually a nationwide pastime. Whether or not you are on the race at Flemington or watching or listening from residence or work, Australians will wager hundreds of thousands and hundreds of thousands of {dollars} on the race every year or will enter a sweepstakes with household, buddies or work colleagues. In 2010 in extra of $140 million was wagered on the Melbourne Cup alone. Fashions On The Discipline was launched to the Melbourne Cup in 1962 in a bid to entice extra ladies to the races. The occasion garnered worldwide publicity when English mannequin Jean Shrimpton wore a mini skirt to Derby Day in 1965. Lately,appreciable prizes are awarded to the most effective dressed lady and man on the day. The Melbourne Cup. The Race That Stops A Nation. Clearly greater than only a three and a half minute race on the primary Tuesday in November although, it has change into a cultural and sporting occasion of significance in Melbourne and all through Australia.