Melbourne Cup day

[Rosalie]

Hi everyone
I was just wondering about Cup day. Its still a public holiday for most here which we usually celebrate at home watching on the IB or picnicing and listening on the radio. As a child we always had a picnic with family and crowded around the car radio.
Do those of you who are interstate, do anything for the race? I know its not a holiday for you but it is still referred to as "the race that stops a nation"
Is this true or not?
And if you are interested, whats your pick? Running a cup sweep here is a big thing, everyone has a go. Wish I could have thought of how to do one here -no money of course.
I have to go for Makybe Diva if she runs. Pretty gutsy mare.

[MarthaB]

:) The melbourne cup is the only race that I wil have a bet on, and always watch on the telly, the thing is I get really upset when a horse falls over, and to be honest I get upset over the horse first, that sounds weird doesn't it, but I do, I know people would problebly say why bet on a race if you're so worried about the horse, simply because it's the australian thing to do, I don't care if I make any money out of it, as long as there are no accidents, I feel really weird now, I have an emotional day......martha

[tigger_gal]

I had no clue what that was, and you know what.. I live right down the street from the horse race track... :biglaugh:

[MarthaB]

:) hi tiggergal, that's because that particular horse race is held in melbourne, australia, so you wouldn't be familiar with it, and that's why the thread was posted under the ''australia'' forum, but it is indeed the race that stops all nations, everybody here stops to watch that race. martha

[tigger_gal]

:biglaugh: :biglaugh: just admit me in the :loco: house....

[Rosalie]

Hey Tigger
I don't expect you to know about the Melbourne Cup but am tickled that you noticed. Its a real tradition here. I haven't looked up any sites but check out "Melbourne Cup Day Victoria Australia" I hope you can find some information. You might get to see some of my beautiful state. Flemington Race Course is very near to where I live. It is known for its magnificent display of roses, thousands of bushes in bloom for the day and the Spring Carnival.

PS Martha who are you backing?

[MarthaB]

:) dunno yet, makybe diva sounds good, but I heard yesterday that they may have to drench the ground first if it doesn't rain,maybe she likes a wet ground or did I hear that right, my left ear is blocked, comes in real handy when someone says something I don't want to hear, like my son, or hubby nag nag :biglaugh: :biglaugh: martha

[deviation72]

Wasn't it a great race? I love having a public holiday for a horse race, although I have to work Cup Day as I'm on a federal award. That said we knocked off at 12.30 for champers and lunch and I'm about to go home, so no work really happened anyway.

Go Makybe Diva - history in the making!

[Rosalie]

Indeed! What a spectacle! I love it...every minute of it. We watch all the pre race stuff. Flemington is magnificent with all the roses and what a gorgeous day, sunny and 29 deg.

My horse won ...HaHa don't you just smile when we refer to the horse we backed as MY horse? As if! I should be so lucky! I came second in the sweep with On a Jeune too.
Makybe Diva is just a beautiful horse, so elegant and calm.
Not sure about them comparing her to Phar Lap though. No one knows what more he would have acheived if he hadn't died so tragically.
Anyone else have some luck with the race?

[MarthaB]

:) yes she is indeed a beautiful horse, what a champion, I had goosebumps watching her race, it was very emotional, but now she is retiring, and she certainly deserves that, she's done her bit for australian history, good on ya makybe diva, you're a legend.