"Melbourne Cup Week has long been recognised as one of the world's greatest sporting events."
Prime Minister, John Howard, November 2003
Each year, on the first Tuesday in November, Australia stands still for 3 minutes 20 seconds, for the running of Australia's most famous horse race, the 3200 metre Melbourne Cup at Flemington.
From the days when Archer, the first Melbourne Cup winner in 1861, through to Phar Lap in, 1030, who died in mysterious circumstances, to latter day favourites like Kingston Town, Gurner's Lane, Doreimus and the latest winner Makye Diva. Melbourne people in particular have shown a love and respect for the sport unmatched anywhere in the world.
The springtime ritual is played out amidst a flurry of society gathering against a backdrop of jet-set visitors, imported horses, millions of dollars gambled and the city's biggest and longest party.
Flemington racetrack is dressed in its best rose displays and the sheer delight of being part of it all shows on the faces of racegoers.
For some the annual Fashions on the Field are almost more important than the Cup itself. hats and hemlines, flowers, frills, colour and cut... that's another aspect of the spirit of racing in Melbourne.
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