BCoF

Melbourne Cup

Here in Australia, The Melbourne Cup is a public holiday for Victoria on the first Tuesday in November.

The Melbourne Cup has always been "The Race Stops the Nation" and is a 3200 metre race for 3 year old and older horses from all over the world.

It is considered one of the most prestigious horse races in the world where Jockey's, trainers, horse owners and the like would love nothing more than to claim this cup as their own.

My father was a very keen horse racing follower and gambler. It was one of his greatest passions and so I grew up in a world where horse racing was vey prominent. Melbourne Cup was the day that most people who never gamble take a flutter, pick a random horse and hope for the best. My Dad however, used to study the form tirelessly leading up to the event, see which jockeys were riding the horses he favoured, which horses did better in the wet, better in the dry, how they went the distance and the list goes on.

For me, horse racing, especially now my Dad is no longer here, is something I don't much care for. I'm changing my mind on whether it is a form of animal cruelty, whether the horses actually do enjoy it and should it be something that continues. I mean of course it will continue as there is too much money involved. Greed will always outweigh anything else.

So when Melbourne Cup comes around now, I no longer have a flutter, I no longer even watch it. But here in Australia, it is a big deal. I do enjoy seeing all the fashions that come out for the day, from your ordinary everyday joe blow, to all the celebrities and big wigs like the horse owners etc. Then of course the after party photos on the news and social media that night. All the drunken fun that was day on the day and aftermath it always leaves in it's wake. So there are still fun parts to behold, but for me I am no longer sure I support the race itself.