When Aussies speak of "The Cup" they are undoubtedly referring to the annual Melbourne Cup. Dubbed the "race (or in 2009, the celebration) that stops a nation", it is the world's richest and most prestigious horse race that is the focal point of the Victorian Spring Racing Carnival. Originally ran over 2 miles, it is now raced over 3,200 meters due to Australia adopting the metric system in 1972. Each year it is held at 3pm on the first Tuesday in November.
All around the country, people stop what they're doing to tune in to "The Cup" which now attracts the very best stayers from Australia and around the world, racing to win their share of more than $5 million Australian Dollars, as well as the cup itself. People don't just go for the racing, celebrities from around the world come to see one of Australia's most famous events first-hand, it truly is a spectacle. If this race doesn't get your heart pumping and adrenaline flowing, horse racing isn't for you!
It is estimated that 80% of adults in Australia have a bet in some form or another (via the TOTE, a bookmaker, an online betting site or an office "sweep", also known as sweepstakes, between themselves or other means) on the Cup. Due to the enormous crowds and other difficulties associated with placing a bet on Cup Day, online betting is growing larger each year. Personally, unless I'm going to the races myself, I no longer head down to the TAB to place my bets. It's a lot more fun to get a few mates together, turn on the telly, stock up on beer and bet in the comfort or your own home using your computer. These days, you don't even need a credit card. BPay, Direct Deposit via your online banking web site, PayPal and other funding options are now all standard means of depositing and withdrawing your funds.
Shocking and Crime Scene burst into the lead on the turn, Crime Scene battled on courageously but Shocking was simply too good.
This was another great finish to the Melbourne Cup that had many Australian's celebrating Shocking's marvellous win.
2008 Results
1st - Viewed
2nd - Bauer
3rd - C’est La Guerre
4th - Master O’Reilly
Last - Honalulu
DNF - Gaollopin
Viewed hit his straps and shot away from the field on the final straight and narrowly defeated a strong finishing Bauer, who would have won if the race was still ran over 2 miles.
This was one of the most exciting finishes in recent history, giving trainer Bart Cummings his 12th Melbourne Cup winner from 50 years of training, 7 more than anyone else in history.
Mahler and Purple Moon looked to be fighting for the win coming into the straight, yet Efficient flew home out wide and ended up beating Purple Moon by half a length.
Tungsten Strike led for most of the race early, but ended up finishing last.
2006 Results
1st - Delta Blues
2nd - Pop Rock
3rd - Maybe Better
4th - Zipping
Last - Zabeat
The year two Japanese horses that entered the race and came 1st and 2nd to give Japan the quinella. As of 2009, no other Japanese horses have entered the cup since, and are highly unlikely to field any in 2009 due to quarantine restrictions.
It is believed the source of Australia's major outbreak of equine influenza in 2007 was, along with Australia's underfunded quarantine system, one of several horses originating from Japan.
2005 Results
1st - Makybe Diva
2nd - On a Jeune
3rd - Xcellent
4th - Leica Falcon
Last - Franklins Gardens
The race that gave Makybe Diva her third consecutive cup win came in '05, she's the only horse to win 3 cups to date, proving what a champion mare she is. She had an inside run and powered home with her 58kg handicap to win comfortably, much to the delight of many Australians. She will go down in history as one of Australia's greatest race horses.
This win also gave jockey Glen Boss the first trifecta in the Cup's history.
When Aussies speak of "The Cup" they are undoubtedly referring to the annual Melbourne Cup. Dubbed the "race (or in 2009, the celebration) that stops a nation", it is the world's richest and most prestigious horse race that is the focal point of the Victorian Spring Racing Carnival. Originally ran over 2 miles, it is now raced over 3,200 meters due to Australia adopting the metric system in 1972. Each year it is held at 3pm on the first Tuesday in November.