The Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival is the Premier Racing carnival in Australia and features a number of internationally acclaimed Group 1 races. These races attract the best horses in Australia and New Zealand as well as horses from as far away as Europe and the United Kingdom. Large crowds attend the race days with over 100,000 attending Flemington race course for Derby Day and Melbourne Cup Day.
A Brief History of the Melbourne Cup
Horse Racing is the oldest and most popular form of racing in Australia with a history dating back to the early 1800s. The Melbourne Cup was first run in 1861 and is Australia’s most famous and popular race. Run over two miles (3200m) under handicap conditions, the Cup has a rich history and every winner of the race has their own unique story.
Community and Unity
The Melbourne Cup is more than a horse race, it is an opportunity for Australians to gather together and celebrate the rich history of Australia. Regardless of cultural backgrounds, the race provides a great talking point and everyone has an opinion about who will win the great race.
The Economic Impact of the Melbourne Cup
The Spring Racing Carnival runs from September until early in November and provides a great boost to the Victorian economy. Tourists flock to Melbourne for the big race days, coming from as close as country Victoria and as far as Europe. It is not unusual for the same groups to make an annual trip from interstate to attend the marquee events such as the Cox Plate or Derby Day. Not only does this boost turnover at the track, but flows the economy at large at restaurants, bars and accommodation.
When you add in the annual AFL football finals in September, Spring is a great time to be in Melbourne!
Media and Advertising
The build-up to the Melbourne Cup is immense and fills not only the newspapers but also gains a lot of coverage via television and social media. The carnival is not just a celebration of the equine athletes and their jockeys and trainers but also a great opportunity to showcase all that is great in Melbourne. Fashionistas and foodies delight in the big race days with social media influencers prominent in the hospitality tents. It is the hottest ticket in town!
The Future of the Melbourne Cup
The future of the Melbourne Cup is bright. Crowd numbers continue to increase with over 350,000 people attending the Melbourne Cup Carnival which includes Derby Day, Melbourne Cup Day, Oaks Day (Ladies Day) and Stakes Day.
The influx of online bookmakers and terrific television coverage of racing on both cable and free to air TV has enabled horse racing to retain its popularity within Australia. A trip to the races for the big race days is an enjoyable social outing which mixes glamour, food and betting. A-List celebrities make Flemington race course the place to be seen in early November.
Conclusion
Placing a bet on the “race that stops a nation” is as Australian as meat pies and footy! Before placing a bet, it is important to choose the right online sports betting bookmaker before betting. The Palmer family have three generations of bookmaking experience and have seen lots of Melbourne Cup winners and technological advancement in racing throughout that time. They combine old school service with modern technology and have great odds to bet on Melbourne Cup.
Visit their website at Palmerbet.com or download the Palmerbet app via the App store and start Melbourne Cup betting with them. You will be glad you made the switch to Palmerbet.