The Melbourne Cup is the biggest race in Australia and is run annually on the first Tuesday of November during the Spring Racing Carnival. There are a lot of reasons to attend the event so let’s take a look at some of them.
1. The atmosphere
There is nothing quite like being in the stands on Melbourne Cup Day, cheering on your favourites with the other patrons. The roar of the crowd and the sound of the horses thundering down the track makes for a very exciting time for everyone involved.
2. The fashion
The ‘Myer Fashions on the Field’ event actually spans three days at Flemington which is Derby Day, Melbourne Cup Day and Oaks Day. It has become one of the most glamorous and prestigious events in Australia during the Spring Racing Carnival. Now in its 59th year, it is an event open to all residents in Australia with Christine Spielmann from Darwin being the most recent winner in 2020.
3. The food
Obviously, food is a big part of the Melbourne Cup with plenty of places to dine at the racecourse. The Club Stand is one of the most popular places to eat with eight restaurants and bars over 5 levels, including a rooftop garden.
4. The chance to win big
If you are a keen horse racing enthusiast then no doubt you will want to place a bet or bet on your favourite horses of the day. Check out the Melbourne Cup racing futures to see if you have the skill to pick a winner.
5. Celebrity spotting
The Melbourne Cup is Australia’s most prestigious horse racing event and there are likely to be a lot of celebrities attending. So grab your binoculars and take a gander throughout the crowd to see if you can spot any stars, be they from Australia or overseas.
6. See some of the world’s best horses
This event is the time for the best of the best horses in the world to compete. The field is made up of 24 horses barring any scratchings. Incentivise is currently the favorite with the most potential for this year’s Melbourne Cup but the actual lineup has yet to be confirmed.
7. Witness one of the world’s most famous races in person
The Melbourne Cup is one of the biggest and most prestigious horse racing events in the world, so it is well worth experiencing the race in person at least once. If you are visiting from overseas, this is your chance to get a feel of what the Australian sports scene is all about.
8. Networking
Many Australian workplaces bring their colleagues to the ‘race that stops the nation’ and it is a fantastic time to get to know a wide array of people from all sorts of different businesses. There are plenty of corporate tents, where you can rub shoulders with potential clients throughout the day.
9. Potential to witness history in the making
You never know what surprises are in store in horse racing. Unlikely odds can become big wins just as favourites can be not as successful as hoped. There have been many firsts at the Melbourne Cup for example in 2015, Michelle Payne became the first female jockey to ever win the race, riding Prince of Penzance.
The Melbourne Cup is a fantastic Australian event that should be experienced at least once in everyone’s lifetime.
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