Grand Armee
At the Start
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2005
- Messages
- 635
I am going next year to the event, permitting my mother is over her third bout of cancer, albeit plans are on hold.
I think, unless you have been to Australia during Cup week, or are an Australian, you will never truly understand the "beauty" and "glory" of what this race what what it truly means to us here down under.
No its not our greatest race, far from it. That mantle is proudly held by the Cox Plate. Its not even debatable, everyone knows that it is the true championship of the southern hemisphere. A 10f WFA event on what is considered to be the world's tightest racing circuit, Moonee Valley.
As for the Cup, next year its 150 years of age, older than the Kentucky Derby by several years. Recent winners (aside from Makybe Diva, Might & Power and Saintly) would not rate as world class, but the yester year group of Phar Lap, Peter Pan, Galilee, Rain Lover, Light Fingers, Nightmarch and Carbine, were amazing horseflesh.
Then there are the stories, each one from 2000 onwards has something magical to it. In 2000 Kerrin McEvoy 5 days out of his apprenticeship won the Cup age 20 at his first attempt. This was after having spent 1 month in suspension due to not showing up at the track. In 2001, Sheila Laxon became the first ever female trainer in the history of the race to win both it and the Caulfield Cup with the mystical Ethereal. In 2002, in possibly racing's most moving moments, and sport for that matter went the way of Media Puzzle with Damien Oliver on board. Just days before, Ollie's brother Jason had been killed in a barrier trial. Who can honestly forget the moment old Media Puzzle hit the front, Ollie wearing Jason's breeches, boots, helmet, and whip reached to the Heavens, saluted his brother, tears streaming down his face. A TRULY beautiful moment.
Or who can forget one of the greatest mares of all time saluting not once, not twice but THREE times in the event from 2003 to 2005. Amazing stuff!
Then there is the Cup parade on the Monday. Can anyone name me another event that actually celebrates their horse race with a live street parade, having over 50,000 people attend lining the second biggest city in their country? How many people have been able to watch previous Cup (or big race) winners parading down the main street of a CBD during the middle of a working day? I can't. That is what happens 24 hours prior to the Cup.
My day yesterday was excellent, minus the 40 degree heat here in Sydney. Our office, like most around Australia, shut down from 1pm onwards. We rented an entire floor of a local pub and spent the afternoon there watching the races on live big screen plasma tvs. Melbourne Cup day is a public holiday in Melbourne, and is being reviewed by the State Government of NSW, to allow Sydney to follow suit. I think eventually one day the entire Australia will be rewarded with the day off.
I hope everyone enjoyed this year's race. It was not the best one I have seen, far from it. The namesake of the winner summed it up, Shocking!!! But still a great afternoon to spend with friends and chilling out.
I think, unless you have been to Australia during Cup week, or are an Australian, you will never truly understand the "beauty" and "glory" of what this race what what it truly means to us here down under.
No its not our greatest race, far from it. That mantle is proudly held by the Cox Plate. Its not even debatable, everyone knows that it is the true championship of the southern hemisphere. A 10f WFA event on what is considered to be the world's tightest racing circuit, Moonee Valley.
As for the Cup, next year its 150 years of age, older than the Kentucky Derby by several years. Recent winners (aside from Makybe Diva, Might & Power and Saintly) would not rate as world class, but the yester year group of Phar Lap, Peter Pan, Galilee, Rain Lover, Light Fingers, Nightmarch and Carbine, were amazing horseflesh.
Then there are the stories, each one from 2000 onwards has something magical to it. In 2000 Kerrin McEvoy 5 days out of his apprenticeship won the Cup age 20 at his first attempt. This was after having spent 1 month in suspension due to not showing up at the track. In 2001, Sheila Laxon became the first ever female trainer in the history of the race to win both it and the Caulfield Cup with the mystical Ethereal. In 2002, in possibly racing's most moving moments, and sport for that matter went the way of Media Puzzle with Damien Oliver on board. Just days before, Ollie's brother Jason had been killed in a barrier trial. Who can honestly forget the moment old Media Puzzle hit the front, Ollie wearing Jason's breeches, boots, helmet, and whip reached to the Heavens, saluted his brother, tears streaming down his face. A TRULY beautiful moment.
Or who can forget one of the greatest mares of all time saluting not once, not twice but THREE times in the event from 2003 to 2005. Amazing stuff!
Then there is the Cup parade on the Monday. Can anyone name me another event that actually celebrates their horse race with a live street parade, having over 50,000 people attend lining the second biggest city in their country? How many people have been able to watch previous Cup (or big race) winners parading down the main street of a CBD during the middle of a working day? I can't. That is what happens 24 hours prior to the Cup.
My day yesterday was excellent, minus the 40 degree heat here in Sydney. Our office, like most around Australia, shut down from 1pm onwards. We rented an entire floor of a local pub and spent the afternoon there watching the races on live big screen plasma tvs. Melbourne Cup day is a public holiday in Melbourne, and is being reviewed by the State Government of NSW, to allow Sydney to follow suit. I think eventually one day the entire Australia will be rewarded with the day off.
I hope everyone enjoyed this year's race. It was not the best one I have seen, far from it. The namesake of the winner summed it up, Shocking!!! But still a great afternoon to spend with friends and chilling out.
. She was well handicapped for her third win.
