| The Melbourne Cup is known as the race that stops | | | | back the final winner, but because we support so |
| a nation. You can't get greater glory in Australian | | | | many it is not a profit generating enterprise... |
| horse racing than becoming one of the Melbourne | | | | Being a winner of this race then brings a certain level |
| Cup winners. | | | | of honor for the trainer and the owner of the horse. |
| For a lot of people around the globe, racing horses is | | | | The first ever declared Melbourne cup winner was a |
| such a pleasurable activity that they will go and travel | | | | horse named Archer in the year 1861. |
| to different countries to be able to compete in one | | | | It is interesting to know that a lot of enthusiasts |
| of the top races of the world. They don't get | | | | would say that it was the slowest Melbourne cup |
| bothered even it would cost them a lot since to | | | | ever run in history however, the same horse also |
| compete with the best and hoping to win against | | | | was declared winner of the cup the following year. |
| them is such an exciting venture that should not be | | | | After which many horses from around the world |
| missed by anyone who loves to race horses. One | | | | followed his footsteps and made themselves famous |
| such event that brings the whole world together to | | | | as well. |
| watch it is called the Melbourne Cup. This is one race | | | | 1930 was the year when the most famous and most |
| that brings the nation into a halt. Race horses coming | | | | loved Australian race horse won named Phar Lap. He |
| from different countries compete with each other | | | | finished landing on the second spot the previous year |
| for the most coveted cup of the Spring Carnival | | | | and landed on the eight spot the following year. His |
| racing season. | | | | body is found today at the Melbourne Museum |
| Lately we have seen some international success with | | | | where you can read his story. |
| winners coming from different countries such as | | | | There was actually a bit of a controversy |
| Japan and New Zealand. A lot of countries have | | | | surrounding his death. It happened on US soil after |
| already proven their worth in contributing to the | | | | winning a very prestigious international event. He was |
| steep competition that the sport has now to offer. | | | | allegedly poisoned. Now the common theory however |
| In Melbourne, you can expect the whole city to stop | | | | is that the poison in his body was given to him by his |
| on its usual busy routines since almost every one will | | | | trainer. The special potion he received to optimally |
| go to places where they can watch the | | | | prepare him for races contained poisonous |
| thoroughbred horses compete against each other on | | | | substances in too large quantity. |
| the race track. People will often go to bars where | | | | Other famous horses include Kingston Rule who won |
| they televise the event live, stay at their place for a | | | | the cup in 1990 in a record 3:16.3 which is still a |
| live feed, and most of them would prefer to watch it | | | | record that has not been surpassed; Makybe Diva |
| live at the horse racing track. | | | | who was the first horse to ever grabbed the cup in |
| The Cup day is considered to be a day off for all the | | | | three consecutive years 2003, 2004, 2005; and in |
| people in the Melbourne CBD, but also for many | | | | 2006 the first ever Japanese horse named Delta |
| businesses in Victoria. There are not that many | | | | Blues won the event. |
| countries declaring a public holiday for a sports event, | | | | A very successful horse trainer is Bart cummings. |
| so this says something about the significance of | | | | Many people bet on his horses under the credo "don't |
| sports for Australia! | | | | back the horse, back the trainer". He has prepared |
| This is the day where you will see people betting | | | | multiple Melbourne Cup winners and has been |
| their hearts out on their favorite horses. In fact | | | | successful in the other Melbourne Spring Carnival |
| millions and millions of dollars are actually placed on | | | | races. |
| bets at this particular day in Melbourne. There are | | | | These are some of the notable Melbourne cup |
| always straight out favourites, but unlike many of | | | | winners recorded in the history books. When it gets |
| the shorter races, they don't often turn out to be | | | | to that first Tuesday in November, get a taste of |
| the actual winners! | | | | the action, have a BBQ with your friends and place a |
| So a great day to have a punt and try to get away | | | | bet or two. You only have to put in a few dollars to |
| with some winnings. With our family we always put | | | | make the race a lot more interesting. Let's hope you |
| some money on seven or eight horses. We often | | | | back one of the Melbourne cup winners! |