MELBOURNE CUP 2022: A SPECIAL RACE!

The Melbourne Cup is a horse race that stops the country, at least for those who aren’t Australians. For those not interested in horse racing, it is Australia’s most well-known yearly sporting occasion, where all the celebs show up for photos. Every November, at Melbourne’s Flemington Racecourse, the Melbourne Cup is one of the most eagerly awaited races on the calendar. The Cup’s dazzling lights and big city vibe draw thousands of spectators from throughout the nation, and since 2021, lucky partygoers have wagered more than $200 million there. It’s hard to imagine that local horse owners held the first Melbourne Cup in 1837 when they congregated on the banks of Batman’s Hill (now Royal Parade) to watch their animals compete in local races.

The Melbourne Cup Day story

The most prestigious horse race in Australia was conducted for the 129th time this year, Melbourne Cup runners race is held in the same venue as the Melbourne Cup Day parade, from the racetrack to Flemington Racecourse. It is customarily held on the first Tuesday in November. The parade culminates with one horse winner being crowned the winner of the Melbourne Cup. The parade route runs along the main street of the city, King Street, and most of the spectators are expected to line the parade route to watch the horses as they pass. This has been a tradition in Melbourne for more than 100 years.

Why is The Melbourne Cup celebrated?

Not only is there a horse race, but there is also a huge celebration when everyone dresses up and gathers with friends, family, and coworkers. It is similar to Australia Day, however, horses are celebrated instead of people. The first Melbourne Cup, which had seventeen horses, was viewed by 4,000 spectators. The prize was a gold watch and 710 pounds. According to reports, Archer, who took the first position, walked 800 kilometers from Nowra, New South Wales, to the starting line. He also triumphed the next year. The race’s most well-known victor is thought to have been the magnificent horse Phar Lap, who triumphed in 1930.

Transportation and Tickets
There is no admission fee to watch the race, but a general admission ticket is required to enter the track. No tickets are sold at the gates, so people planning to attend should purchase their tickets ahead of time.  Tickets for the event are available for purchase online through the Cheapo Ticketing website. The train from Central Station will take about 30 minutes, which is the quickest way to get there. People are advised to leave early because trains can be more expensive and congested closer to the race. There are a few alternatives for parking on-site, but it’s better to leave your car at home because there are a certain number of spots and they will quickly fill up. Redzel, a two-year-old stallion trained by David Payne, most recently won the prestigious Melbourne Cup in 2019. Along with The Caulfield Cup and The Cox Plate, it is one of the three Australian races that make up The Triple Crown.