Comprehensive Guide to the Melbourne Cup

The Melbourne Cup is known as “the race that stops the nation.” It has become a national institution, generating more controversy and interest than any other race in the country. Let’s find out all about this event.

Origins of the Melbourne Cup

On November 7, 1861, in front of 4,000 spectators, 17 horses raced in the first official Melbourne Cup to win 710 gold sovereigns and a gold watch. It all coincided very well with the Gold Rush that was sweeping Victoria at the time – the lucky ones would pocket the money, and they would part with it just as easily. The Australasian Newspaper wrote in 1871: “There is no place to stand on the lawn, and many ladies have not been able to sit down all day. The Paddock is crowded, and the Hill is a solid mass of people. All Melbourne now goes to the spring races.” In 1880, more than 100,000 people came to Flemington Stadium, with a population of only 290,000 people

Evolution of the Racecourse

The race is held at Flemington Park Racecourse in suburban Melbourne, Australia. It is the most prestigious two-mile handicap in the world. Initially, the distance was exactly 2 miles or 3.219 km. However, in 1972, it was shortened by 19 meters.

Impact on Australian Culture

They say that the Melbourne Cup is an event that “stops and unites all Australians,” regardless of their skin color, race, or religion.

Unites – because the entire population of Australia comes together at this time: many – at the Melbourne Racecourse, where up to 150 thousand people gather to watch the races at the same time; and those who cannot be there – in front of TV screens in various places – at home, in hotels, restaurants, pubs, even at work.

It stops because Australians drop everything they are doing and even work for this time and watch the race, excitedly experiencing and impatiently waiting—who will win? In the shops and on the streets at this time, there is not a soul!

You should see how adults behave in the stands of the racecourse – how much emotion and excitement everyone has! At this time, all the feelings of Australians are revealed and splashed out – they jump like children, shout, scream, passionately worry, and after the race – they laugh, hug, and kiss (if they have won), and if not, then at first they “freeze” for a while, trying to comprehend what happened, then they can curse in their hearts that they lost, but then they still succumb to the general atmosphere of the holiday and soon join the crowd of merrymakers. After all, the main thing for them is the holiday itself, the opportunity to rest from work, have fun, and enjoy the spring! November is the last month of spring in Australia. Summer begins in December. For many Australian women, this day is a good reason to dress up especially beautifully. There are parades of fashionable outfits and accessories, and prizes are given for “the unique outfit and hat,” everyone strives to look beautiful.

The Melbourne Cup Carnival: 2024 Schedule

This year, the cup will take place on Tuesday, November 5th. However, the race itself, which lasts only three minutes, is the key, but far from the only event of the day. From the very morning, entertainment events are planned on the field. Only the main final race is known in advance. It will traditionally start at 3 pm local time. The schedule of other races can be found directly on the day of the event.

How to Get to the Event?

There are several ways to get to the Melbourne Cup:

• By train. Special trains leave from Flinders Street and/or Southern Cross stations.
• By tram. The 57 West Maribyrnong tram runs from the Melbourne CBD and stops at Flemington Racecourse (stop 30).
• By taxi. Taxis are only permitted to enter Flemington Racecourse from Smithfield Road at the Stables Drive entrance or to disembark at Leonard Crescent via Langs Road.
• By helicopter. Helicopters depart from Melbourne and land at the Flemington Racecourse helipad.
• By private boat. Private boat transfers are available from Melbourne VIP Boat Charters during the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
• By limo. A private limo is a popular way to get to Flemington.

Thus, the final choice of transport will depend on your budget and ambitions.

The Melbourne Cup Ticket Information

Tickets this year range from $60 to $95. Early booking will give you the best deal. There are also discounts for families with children. Young racegoers under 12 can attend the event for free but must be accompanied by a parent.

You can purchase a standard ticket, which gives you access to most public areas of the event. Reserved seating tickets are more expensive, but you are guaranteed a seat for the entire race. VIP packages are also available, which give you full access to all entertainment.

How and Where Can I Place Bets?

Much can be said about the beautiful dresses and fancy hats of the visitors. However, above all, these are races on which you can bet money. The races are handicaps, where the chances of horses of different ages are equalized with the help of an additional weight. Of course, each horse is ridden by a jockey. The minimum handicap weight is 49 kg, and the minimum weight with the jockey is 57 kg (there is no maximum). This weight is determined separately for each horse and is announced at the beginning of September. Usually, older horses carry more weight than younger ones, although the handicap weight also depends on the horse’s previous results.

This cup is one of the key events in sports life. Therefore, you will find a line on the Melbourne Cup in almost any bookmaker platform. 1xBet bookies horse racing page is among the best options. You can enjoy safe and enjoyable betting and become a participant in these races from any part of the world.

Who Won the Melbourne Cup in 2023?

Mark Zahra won the 2023 Melbourne Cup. It was Zahra’s second Melbourne Cup victory after winning the 2022 Melbourne Cup. His wife Alice and sister Claire were overjoyed at the achievement. After all, the Melbourne races have a prize fund of over five million Australian dollars.

Mark finished well ahead of his pursuers and managed to make a two-fingered victory gesture.

Without A Fight, who started from the sixteenth box, stayed among the last for most of the distance. Mark Zahra did not rush him, allowing Serpentine to dictate the pace. The leader changed at the finish line: Serpentine was overtaken by Vauban and Absurd. At the same time, Soulcombe, Sheraz, and Without A Fight began to improve their positions. With a powerful, long run, Without A Fight overtook the leaders and, having broken away from them by almost three lengths, finished first. Studmates, Soulcombe and Sheraz of Chris Waller, shared second and third places, and Ashrun of the stable of Ciaran Maher and Kevin Eustace finished fourth. Another of their charges, last year’s Melbourne Cup winner, Gold Trip, finished only seventeenth. Vauban and Absurd, who did not last the distance, finished outside the paid places.

Conclusion

The Melbourne Cup Day is Australia’s most famous Tuesday. No matter what Australians are doing, at 3 pm (AEST) on the first Tuesday in November, people everywhere stop to listen to the start of the race or watch it on TV. The Cup Day is also Australia’s biggest one-day gambling event. Even those who never gamble place a bet once a year, and businesses across the country often host raffles.