They call it The Race That Stops the Nation. The Melbourne Cup is the biggest horse race in Australia, and is actually a public holiday in Victoria. Melbourne has a Spring Carnival, which is a couple of weeks of events and horse races, the biggest of which is the Melbourne Cup.
Last year we were in Melbourne just long enough to see everyone having fun on Cup Day. This year we wanted to see what all the fun was about. Neither of us had been to a horse race… it was at least as much about girls getting dressed up and everyone having a good time as about horses.
Although there were plenty of horses there too:
According to tradition, you are supposed to have champagne for breakfast. This got us into the spirt of things quite early as you can imagine. The trains were packed with other race goers, and we were at the track by noon. Neither of us had ever been to a horse race, much less bet on horses. There was a big setup of bookies all displaying their constantly changing odds, and mass chaos of people placing bets and redeeming winners. It was a bit full on at first, but we quickly figured it out and Beth proved she knew what she was doing when her first bet came in the winner!
Well… that was about the highlight of the day as far as gambling is concerned. There were 10 or 12 races in all and we had a great time. Just don’t plan on *returning* from the races with any money you went with .
Oh, it’s been really HOT the last couple of days… getting up to 35C! Have been swimming after work which is great. Just now the wind changed and it got cold and started pooring rain though… just in time for weekend!
Comment by Chris Clark — November 13, 2008 @ 11:01 pm
Love the outfits. Josh you wear that hat like a pro!
What fun!!!!! This is so very interesting. I’m glad you spent the day at the races. Did you know that Mother/Nanna always wanted to go to the Kentucky Derby? She didn’t get there; however, she toured Churchill Downs one time when she was in Louisville. Your dressing up (hats and flowers), having champagne, and all the excitement reminds me of what people are photographed doing at the Kentucky Derby and the Ascot Races in London.
Thanks for posting several pictures. It’s always fun to see the two of you in the pictures. You both look great!
Nice pics! thanks! I like your hat and tie and flower. And Beth, of course. Glad you put up a picture of what you two looked like there. So… would you go to a horse race again? What is Emirates? An Arabian airline?
That last picture kind of reminds me of a baseball park. You two look very nice! Glad it’s so warm there…we had our first significant snow (that actually stuck to the ground) here today.
What fun!!! Especially since last year you only got your appetite whetted, and this year you dove right in like a true national! Awesome that you made that happen for yourselves! Love all the detail in the text and love the varied and vivid photos. The one of the two of you is fun, festive, and gorgeous! Thanks for making it so we can be mice in the corner of your world. XOXOX
9 Comments »
Comment by josh — November 13, 2008 @ 7:34 pm
They call it The Race That Stops the Nation. The Melbourne Cup is the biggest horse race in Australia, and is actually a public holiday in Victoria. Melbourne has a Spring Carnival, which is a couple of weeks of events and horse races, the biggest of which is the Melbourne Cup.
Last year we were in Melbourne just long enough to see everyone having fun on Cup Day. This year we wanted to see what all the fun was about. Neither of us had been to a horse race… it was at least as much about girls getting dressed up and everyone having a good time as about horses.
Although there were plenty of horses there too:
According to tradition, you are supposed to have champagne for breakfast. This got us into the spirt of things quite early as you can imagine. The trains were packed with other race goers, and we were at the track by noon. Neither of us had ever been to a horse race, much less bet on horses. There was a big setup of bookies all displaying their constantly changing odds, and mass chaos of people placing bets and redeeming winners. It was a bit full on at first, but we quickly figured it out and Beth proved she knew what she was doing when her first bet came in the winner!
Well… that was about the highlight of the day as far as gambling is concerned.
There were 10 or 12 races in all and we had a great time. Just don’t plan on *returning* from the races with any money you went with 
.
Comment by josh — November 13, 2008 @ 7:35 pm
Oh, it’s been really HOT the last couple of days… getting up to 35C! Have been swimming after work which is great. Just now the wind changed and it got cold and started pooring rain though… just in time for weekend!
Comment by Chris Clark — November 13, 2008 @ 11:01 pm
Love the outfits. Josh you wear that hat like a pro!
Comment by Clara — November 13, 2008 @ 11:09 pm
What fun!!!!! This is so very interesting. I’m glad you spent the day at the races. Did you know that Mother/Nanna always wanted to go to the Kentucky Derby? She didn’t get there; however, she toured Churchill Downs one time when she was in Louisville. Your dressing up (hats and flowers), having champagne, and all the excitement reminds me of what people are photographed doing at the Kentucky Derby and the Ascot Races in London.
Thanks for posting several pictures. It’s always fun to see the two of you in the pictures. You both look great!
Comment by dadman — November 14, 2008 @ 12:22 am
Nice pics! thanks! I like your hat and tie and flower. And Beth, of course. Glad you put up a picture of what you two looked like there. So… would you go to a horse race again? What is Emirates? An Arabian airline?
Comment by josh — November 14, 2008 @ 6:23 am
Emirates is an airline… I don’t know if it is Arabian… maybe it is. My flower was a bit crooked in that photo hehe.
I didn’t know that about Nanna. The Melbourne Cup here is probably like the Kentucky Derby would be in the US.
Comment by Kriz — November 15, 2008 @ 8:27 am
Give your money to Bethany she will invest it wisely.
Looks like a lot of fun, and a blue bird day to boot.
Did any horses get sent off to the glue factory?
Comment by Claire — November 17, 2008 @ 7:25 am
That last picture kind of reminds me of a baseball park. You two look very nice! Glad it’s so warm there…we had our first significant snow (that actually stuck to the ground) here today.
Comment by Peg — November 18, 2008 @ 1:33 am
What fun!!! Especially since last year you only got your appetite whetted, and this year you dove right in like a true national! Awesome that you made that happen for yourselves! Love all the detail in the text and love the varied and vivid photos. The one of the two of you is fun, festive, and gorgeous! Thanks for making it so we can be mice in the corner of your world. XOXOX
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