Tomorrow represents not only the biggest race on the Australian racing calendar, but one of the biggest anywhere in the world. The Melbourne Cup – held annually on the first Tuesday of November – has become such a big event that it is a public holiday in the southern state of Victoria where it is held.
Every year, 10s of thousands flock to Flemington in Melbourne and pubs and clubs around the country to watch “the race that stops a nation.” Even people who never watch horse racing tend to get in on the fun – you’d be hard pressed finding too many workplaces that don’t hold a Melbourne Cup lunch or at the very least stop what they’re doing for half an hour to watch it on TV.
More than just a race, Melbourne Cup day is an event. Around Australia, men dress up in their finest suits and women don their most expensive fascinators to make sure they impress in what is as much a fashion show as it is a day of racing.
But what about the race itself? Run over 3,200 metres, The Melbourne Cup is the world’s premier event for stayers but with 24 runners it also one of the most challenging for punters to pick a winner. In fact, the last pre-race favorite to actually go on and win the Cup was the legendary Makybe Diva back in 2005 who started at around 7/2.
Makybe Diva was the last favorite to win the Cup in 2005
This year’s favorite is Fiorente, trained by Gai Waterhouse. Waterhouse is considered to be one of Australia’s great trainers but she has yet to win the Melbourne Cup and bookmakers are divided on the horse’s chances with prices ranging from $6 to $9. Fiorente us a great each way bet after finishing runner-up in the Cup last year but shop around for the best price.
Last year’s winner Green Moon hasn’t been in great form this spring but knows how to get it done at Flemington and can’t be discounted, while 2011 winner Dunaden will have to overcome a 58.5kg handicap if he wants to win again – four kilograms heavier than he carried two years ago.
We suggest taking the each way bet on a few picks in the Cup and like Sea Moon as another top option. But as always, the Cup is a tough one to pick and for once the team here at WGM will be in it for the party rather than the payouts. Pull up a spot in front of the TV, grab a cold beer or champagne and enjoy one of the great spectacles of world sport.
