Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Melbourne Cup - Race that stops a nation!

The Melbourne Spring Carnival is back - what a nice way to welcome spring! It consists a series of events and the best known of course is the Melbourne Cup.

Hosted on the 1st Tuesday of Nov. and gazetted as a holiday in metropolitan Melbourne.

The venue is the Flemington Race Course.




















This is the trophy with the price money of A$5.6M!





















It is more than a cup race - a social event when people come to see and be seen. The Saturday leading up the the Cup's Day is the Derby Day. The traditional dress code is black and white.













Among the celebrities present is Olivier Newton John who led the cup parade, and entertained the attendance of >102,000 with her song "Magic" prior to the race.






























The hot favorite this year is the "Viewed" (pictured in background); owned by Malaysian Dato Tan Chin Nam, who won the cup last year with the same horse.





















I like his favorite phrase - "Never Say I Assume"





















Because it made an "ASS" of "U" & "ME"!

The legendary trainer Bart Cummings is also known as the Cups King had 3 horses in the race.





















When the clock hit 3pm, the whole nation stops to watch! No Kidding..




But the outcome is Shocking! Well, it so happen to be the name of the horse too!














Jokey Corey Brown has a triumphant story to tell..













Trainer Mark Kavanagh has a good story too. With humble beginning, his mum cooked for Bart Cummings in his early years. Persevere through the downs earlier, his dream came through to take the cup most unexpectedly; in presence of the old master!















For the ladies it is great party time.. showing off their head gear!














Elegant isn't she!





















Plus those who add a shocking element!








































Guess that's what many guys come for too.

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