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Melbourne Cup

The Melbourne Cupan annual thoroughbred horse race over 3200 metres, held onfirst TuesdayNovember since 1861 at Flemington Racecourse byVictoria Racing ClubMelbourne, Australia. Itrun as"weight-for-age handicap",whichweightjockey,riding gearadjustedballast tonominated figure. Older horsesgiven more weight than younger ones,weightingsfurther adjusted according tohorse's previous results.

Inpast, such weightings were performedtheoretically give each horse an equal chancewinningcup, butrecent yearsrules have been adjustedthat of"quality handicap" where superior horsesgiven less severe weight penalties than would becase under pure handicap rules. Itgenerally regarded asmost prestigious "two-mile" (the race was originally held overdistancetwo miles, whichapproximately 3218 metres) handicap inworld. Itone ofmost popular spectator eventsMelbourne,over 110,000 people, some dressedtraditional formal raceday wearothersall mannerexotic and/or amusing costumes attendingrace.

"Fashions On The Field"in factmajor focus ofday,substantial prizes awarded forbest-dressed femalemore recently male racegoers. The requirementelegant hats almost single-handedly keeps Melbourne's (few) millinersbusiness. Raceday fashion has, on occasion, drawn almost as much attention asrace itself, withminiskirt receiving worldwide publicity when model Jean Shrimpton, an invited guest unfamiliarMelbourne's conservatism attime, wore one tolead-up eventCup Day (it was actually Darby Day where she woremini)1965.

Race dayMelbourne ispublic holiday,aroundcountry,large majoritypeople gamble onrace, either through direct betting or participatingcup "sweeps". Its description as"race that stopsnation"well-deserved.

Racing purists"serious" betters dislikeCup, asunusuallydistancehandicap rules makeresult highly unpredictableallows mediocre horseswin. They regardCox Plate,2000 metre weight-for-age race, astrue indication ofbest horsesAustralia.

The race has undergone several alterations overpast decade,most visible beingarrivalmany foreign horsescontestrace (notwithstandingmany winners from New Zealand includingfamous Phar Lap) inlast decade. Most have failedcope withconditions,only Irish trainer Dermott Weld successful,1993Vintage Crop2002Media Puzzle. The attractionforiegnerscompete, however, wasfar less visible change tonew "quality handicap" weighting system.

The 2001 Melbourne Cup was won by New Zealand mare Ethereal, trained by Shiela Laxon,first womanformally trainCup winner. She also wonCaulfield Cup,similar race,therefore has won 'the cups double'.

See Also: Australian horse-racing, Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival

Melbourne Cup Winners:


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