Horse Cups
2011 Melbourne Cup – Australia’s Most Awaited Horse Racing Event
Often referred as the “race that stops a nation”, the 2011 Melbourne Cup is an event that Australians look forward to with anticipation. An integral part of the Australian culture, this horse racing event has a long history behind it. It is believed to be the biggest 3200 meter open handicap horse race and the most challenging for participants.
Horse Racing Fans Gear Up
The 2011 Melbourne Cup is slated to begin on the first of November this year at the Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne. It will be the seventh race on Melbourne Cup Day and a part of the Victoria Spring Racing Carnival. The event draws an international audience who are very keen to witness this historic horse race. Almost every Australian turns up even if it is only for the Melbourne Cup sweepstakes involving fixed pot money.
Even though the event is a long way off, horse racing enthusiasts are already gearing up for the event. Although it will be a while before the betting markets open, the passion of horse racing punters is obvious from the fact that they are eager to get all possible information about the thoroughbreds that are likely to participate in the 2011 Melbourne Cup. This is not surprising since this horse racing event has the largest prize pool. The winning horse becomes an instant legend.
Besides the horse racing events, the 2011 Melbourne Cup Day will be an opportunity for the fashion conscious to showcase their attire at the Fashions on the Field competition. This is one of many social events that celebrate the Melbourne Cup Day.
The History behind the Melbourne Cup
The first ever Melbourne Cup was in 1861 and the original track was 3218 meters and won by Archer for two consecutive years. Later in 1972, this distance was changed. The minimum and maximum handicap weights were also fixed. With a prize money pool of approximately $6 million and trophies worth $125000, the winner is awarded $3.3 million while the tenth place finisher is awarded $115,000. The horse’s owner receives 85 percent of the money. The trainer gets 10 percent and the jockey gets 5 percent.
During its years of existence, the most prominent winner was Makybe Diva who won for three years in a row from 2003 to 2005. The Group 2 Makybe Diva Stakes is named in her honor.
A National Holiday
The 2011 Melbourne Cup Day is an annual public holiday in Australia and extremely popular with the natives. Around 100,000 people gather at the Flemington Racecourse. Many local horse racing events are also scheduled on the same day. The main event, which is the 2011 Melbourne Cup, is telecast to over 650 million people. Fans avidly wait for 3 pm when the event is due to start. Celebrities and VIP guests occupy the special marquees set up for the occasion where they are served champagne and other delicacies.
As participants in the 2011 Melbourne Cup begin preparations well ahead of the event, the betting begins long before the actual races start as the stakes are high.
About the Author
Horseracingoffers.com.au is an online horse racing guide for all information related to the 2011 Melbourne Cup, an event eagerly waited by horse racing fans. Check out Horse Racing Offers for past as well as present information including distances of races, prize money details, previous winners, race odds, sweeps and other interesting facts about the race.
Horse Racing – 2011 Australian Cup Day Betting Preview – Bart Cummings
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