About the Melbourne Cup

The Melbourne Cup is an unparalleled horse racing spectacle. Managed by the Victoria Racing Club, it's the annual race that stops the nation and is the richest and most prestigious "two-mile" (3200m) handicap on the planet.

High society gathers in decadent fashion, extravagant style and sometimes amusing costumes to witness the world's best thoroughbreds thunder around the famous Flemington Racecourse.

International Field

Stables from the United Kingdom, Ireland, United Arab Emirates, Japan, Europe and South Africa send their finest thoroughbreds in the quest for victory and the pride of taking home the trophy and cash.

The Richest Handicap Race on the Planet

Total prize money for the event is AUD$5.5 million. There is also a bonus prize of AUD$500,000 for the owner of any horse that wins the Irish St Leger (G1) and the Melbourne Cup in the same year.

The Trophy

The current trophy, awarded since 1919, is a three-handled gold loving cup worth AUD$100,000. The winning trainer and jockey also receive a miniature replica of the cup. The strapper is awarded the Tommy Woodcock Trophy named after the strapper of the incomparable Phar Lap.

Melbourne Cup Day

Held on the first Tuesday in November by the Victoria Racing Club, the day is a public holiday in Victoria. Attendance is usually over 100,000, making the Cup one of the most popular spectator events in Australia. The record crowd was 122,376 in 2003.

The Melbourne Cup Day is one of four Spring Carnival feature races held over an eight-day period. These include:
- Derby Day - 'A Day for Racing Purists'
- Oaks Day - 'Ladies Day'
- Stakes Day - 'Family Day'

Melbourne Cup Fashions

How do you describe Melbourne Cup Carnival fashion? With over 100,000 people in attendance and fashion sense from sublime to “what were you thinking”, the answer is that this fashion frenzy is simply indefinable – except for the word "excess".

Complete Fashion Indulgence

The Carnival is after all the perfect excuse for extreme fashion indulgence, a great opportunity to set the trend and turn some heads. In 2006, race goers purchased an incredible 47,960 hats, 39,578 pairs of shoes and 22,321 handbags.

Ladies First

Last year the ladies set the bar high with a variety of colours and imaginative outfits, while many of the gents suffered in dark suites in the sizzling 30°C heat and were guilty of being a little boring. Some did manage to stand out of the crowd in the occasional morning suit or designer label.

Yellow roses through buttonhole were essential for the guys, and most followed through with this tradition.

Melbourne Cup Fashion Folly

Of course there were many fashion offences, but in truth no day at the races is complete without wardrobe disasters. Most of the fashion folly was seen parading in the public areas and betting rings around the track. They included tiny miniskirts, impractical dresses and over visible underwear.

The Melbourne Cup Premier Parade

Overall the fashion is edgy and exciting, adding a playful and stylish dimension to the world's premier horse racing carnival.

Flemington Racecourse

The Flemington Racecourse is rich in history and prestige. This premier venue hosts many of Australia's top races, including the Melbourne Cup, the country's richest horse race. It is a symbol of the depth and magnitude of Australian horse racing.

Spring Carnival

The course is renowned as one of the most beautiful racetracks in the world and it truly comes alive during its Spring Carnival races when its gorgeous roses, which line the mounting enclosure, come into full bloom and the atmosphere is electric.

National Heritage Status

Situated on low alluvial flats, next to the Maribyrnong River, the area was first used for racing in 1840. During last year's Melbourne Cup the Flemington Racecourse was awarded National Heritage status, confirming its position in history along side sites such as the Sydney Opera House and Ayers Rock.

Interesting Flemington Racecource Fact

One of the interesting features of the racetrack is the running of races down the "straight six", which refers to races run on a straight 1200 metre section of track that joins the course proper.

Getting to Flemington Racecourse

Trains

A comprehensive train network ensures convenient and quick travel to and from Flemington Racecourse. Specially designated race trains will depart from Flinders Street Station, platforms 8 and 9. The trains will stop at Southern Cross station (Platform 13 and 14) and North Melbourne (Platform 5 and 6) on their way to the racecourse.

Trams

Spectators can take the No. 57 tram from the corner of Elizabeth and Flinders St. The trams will stop at the corner of Flemington Drive and Epsom Road.

Other Options

An array of buses, ferries, taxies and hire cars are also available. For a full list of public transport options visit www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au or call Metlink on 131 638.

Please Note

No alcohol will be allowed on public transport and all spectators will be checked on entry into Flemington Racecourse.