Run on the first Tuesday in November since its inception in 1861 at Flemington Racecourse, it is considered the ‘Race that stops a Nation’.
How true that is. Whether you go to Flemington, your local race club, a luncheon at your local pub or restaurant or entertain family and friends at home while watching all the excitement of the event on television.
The Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour came to Cobram on Monday, October 6 for two events, a barbecue breakfast with Lions Club members and the community at Thompsons Beach and a gala dinner at Cobram Central Hotel in the evening.
Funds raised from both events will go towards dialysis services at the Cobram Hospital.
This year is the 165th running of the cup, which today has prize money of nearly $10 million, making it the richest handicap race for thoroughbreds around the world.
In 1861, the prize to the winning owners was 710 gold sovereigns and a gold watch, while today the winners are presented with $4.5 million, plus a magnificent 18-carat solid gold trophy.
During World War II, the winning owners received war bonds to the value of 200 pounds.
Of 24 runners in the race over 3200m, 12 qualify for prize money.
What is it exactly that makes the day so exciting? Is it the sight of magnificently prepared thoroughbreds in the mounting yard, superbly fit jockeys in their colourful silks, men and women dressed in their fashions and finery?
It seems to have it all: the colour, the excitement, the glamour, champagne, beer, gourmet food and crowds of happy people.
While I haven’t attended Flemington on Melbourne Cup day since 1989, it was a day I will never forget.
My husband and I were invited to attend the day as guests of a VRC member and his family, and what an unbelievable day it turned out to be.
Travelling to Melbourne a day earlier, we stayed the night at the Downtowner in Carlton and were collected in a shiny black chauffeur-driven limousine the following morning.
I had spent several weeks looking for what, I felt, was the right outfit, and at the age of 44 felt relatively good in my smart black and white two-piece suit and wide brimmed black hat.
Arriving through the gates at Flemington, we got the ‘look’ as we were waved through to the members’ car park, where quickly the party began.
All members’ vehicles were parked closely together and car boots were open, filled with car fridges, ice buckets and finger food to feed thousands.
First things first, a glass of French champagne, meet and greet with others from Shepparton and then a serious look at the form guide.
We didn’t happen to watch a race until just before the cup, when we headed to the stand to seek a perfect vantage point.
It had been too busy. With our hosts’ runner, Tawriffic, rated at 30/1, it was definitely worth a small bet.
I cannot remember how much I wagered on it, but I do remember how much I won: $450.
Anyhow, let’s get back to the event. As the horses got away at the start in the 3200m race and went past the 1500m it became hard to pick out the horse, but our friend had strong binoculars and said “He’s doing okay and moving up on them.”
Then there was a mighty roar and people were no longer in their seats. The crowds cheering and the sound of hooves as horses thundered down the straight was electric, while a five-year-old brown stallion hit his stride, took the lead and went flying to the finish post more than two lengths ahead of the highly fancied Super Impose. It was Tawriffic’s day.
The smiles on the faces of the four part-owners was infectious that afternoon and with the gold cup in their hands in the members’ car park later, everyone wanted to be their best friends.
“We went with eight friends and came back with 2000 new ones,” said Ed McKeon, who generously invited us to be his guests that day.
The Shepparton businessman’s syndicate partners in Tawriffic were Barrie and Midge Griffiths and Brian Avery from New Zealand.
That night was the official dinner for the winners and connections at the Southern Cross Hotel, where we dined with the elite of the racing industry.
Do I need to attend the Lexus Melbourne Cup again? I don’t think so. It was a day that could not be bettered.
