Otherwise
known as 'the race that stops a nation' is a thoroughbred horse race
run on the first Tuesday of November each year at Flemmington in
Melbourne.
The
race has cemented its position as a revered sporting, social and
cultural event that continues to play a significant role in defining
Australia's national identity.
The
cup was first run in 1875 in front of an estimated crowd of 4000
people. As the cup became more and more popular with the Australian
public it also became popular as a carnival with picnic parties &
sideshows, fancy dress and dressing fancy with Australia's
socialites, rich and famous showing off all the latest fashions.
The
race is run over 3200 meters but it is the 450 meter length of the
home stretch that has been the deciding factor of many a Melbourne
cup.
Today,
the nation literally stops, drops tools and watches the race. At 3pm
blue and white collar workers alike stand and yell at the television
for their favourite horse (ie: the one they bet money on) to come home a winner. Office sweeps are organised,
usually champagne is partaken of and most often there is a
'best hat' competition run as well.
The
race day fashion or 'fashion on the field' has drawn as much
attention as the race itself with the milliners in and around
Melbourne and Sydney kept busy with the elegant hats and facinators.
Flemmington racecourse holds 120,000 people but spectators
who cannot get into Flemington watch from the television panels
outside of the field. Outside the field is also where the action is
with picnics and fancy dress and a real carnival atmosphere.
Yellow
roses (the official flower of the Melbourne Cup) are grown especially
for the day with over 12,000 rose bushes grown in the grounds
themselves. The display is spectaculor.
In
The Melbourne metropolitan area the cup day has been a gazetted
public holiday much to the envy of every other city in Australia.
The
Melbourne cup is the single biggest betting event in this country
(not something to be proud of really, but that's the way it is) and
it also the most watched event on television, it even beats the cricket.
and Meat pies
A hot meat pie with tomato sauce. hmmmmm.
No need to say more really.
and Meat pies
A hot meat pie with tomato sauce. hmmmmm.
No need to say more really.
My second grader is studying Australia this semester. Glad to have fond your blog.
ReplyDeleteCoffee Rings Everywhere
thanks for dropping in Natasha. Anything I can do to help, let me know.
DeleteThank you, Deb. Yes, I will give you a shout if I need any help. That's the beauty of the internet, isn't it- the friends you make from all over.
DeleteNice to meet you Deb, I am from Oz too!
ReplyDeleteDo you recall Mel Schumacher? He was given a life ban from racing for pulling another Jockeys leg during a Melbourne Cup race and when the Queen came over for a visit she pardoned all disqualified sport personalities? He was able to race again!
Well Mel is my second cousin! Possibly not a great story to brag about, but I thought you might be interested.
Hi CM, thanks for stopping in. Nice to see a fellow Aussie doing the challenge.
ReplyDeleteI dont remember Mel Schumacher but my Grandfather used to talk about his 'incident' a lot when we were kids. He was a character (and maybe a bit of a larikin?) wasn't he. I think it's great that you have a bit of the Melbourne Cup as part of your family history. Brag on my friend.