Melbourne Cup

The Melbourne Cup Carnival

The Melbourne Cup Carnival 2011 was the brightest longest event I have ever attended and definitely one of the most memorable days in my life. Chances for me to be a part of the Flemington’s racecourse are probably close to zero, however I have once doubted that I will get to understand and speak English fluently and could never believe to be lucky to even get to live in a beautiful country like New Zealand.

A Plotted history and facts about the Melbourne Cup Carnival

According to Races.com.au (2012), the beginning of horse history in Australia all started in 1788, when Port Jackson received the First Fleet and its cargo of a stallion, four mares, a colt and a filly. Furthermore, Cusack and Digance (2009), note that the first racetrack was established on the borders of Sydney in 1809, and that today’s horse racing remains an important social, sporting and economic event in Australia.

It was during the gold rush of the 1850s when the colony of Victoria saw an increase in both the wealth and population of Melbourne, there was an increased demand for social events, entertainment and gambling. Horse racing became an outlet for the miners to spend their new-found wealth (Cusack& Digance, 2009).

Cusack& Digance ( 2009) believe that to 80% of Australians it is “natural” to make a wager of some form, and that the Cup is traditionally associated with gambling and overload drinking.

Authors comment that to 80% of Australians it is “natural” to make a wager of some form, and that the Cup is traditionally associated with gambling and overload drinking.

Today The Melbourne Cup is Australia’s most important thoroughbred horse race over a distance of two-miles for horses three years and older and is the richest and most prestigious in the world (“Melbourne Cup History”, 2012). The Melbourne Cup was first adverted in 1861 at Flemington Racecourse one of the world’s great racecourses, and became a home to the Melbourne Cup...