The Melbourne Cup is one of the biggest horse racing events in the world. The race is run in Melbourne, Australia, and people from right around the world tune in to see horses run around the track and see which horse will win the all important race. There is so much information about the race online, but if you aren’t sure where to start, then here is certainly a good place!
If you want to know more about the Melbourne Cup, then have a read on below at some of the most important things to be aware of:
Where is the Melbourne Cup?
The Melbourne Cup takes place at Flemington Racecourse, in Melbourne, Australia.
When is the Melbourne Cup?
The Melbourne Cup takes place on the first Tuesday of November, at 3pm. Melbourne Cup day is actually also a public holiday for those people who live in Victoria (the state Melbourne is located in).
How long is the Melbourne Cup?
The great race is run over a distance of 3,200 metres, which is one of the longest races in Australia. The length of the race means that it usually goes for an average of 3 minutes and 20 seconds. In 1990, the fastest winning time was set by Kingston Rule, at 3:16.3.
How many horses are in the Melbourne Cup?
There is a capacity field of 24 runners that take part in the Melbourne Cup.
Does the favorite always win the Melbourne Cup?
No, the favorite doesn’t always win the Melbourne Cup, actually it doesn’t happen very often. In the 2021 race, the winner Verry Elleegant was paying around $16, while the favorite for the race, Incentivise, finished in second.
How much is the Melbourne Cup worth?
The Melbourne Cup is one of the richest races in Australia, in terms of prize money, and there is a total of $7,750,000 (AUD) up for grabs.
When was the Melbourne Cup first run?
The first ever Melbourne Cup took place all the way back in 1861, and it was won by Archer.
Has a horse ever won more than one Melbourne Cup?
Yes, there have been a few horses that have won the Melbourne Cup multiple times. There are four horses that have won the Melbourne Cup twice: Archer (1861 & 1862), Peter Pan (1932 & 1934), Rain Lover (1968 & 1969) and Think Big (1974 & 1975), while Makybe Diva won the Melbourne Cup three times, all consecutively, from 2003 to 2005.
Can you get Melbourne Cup tips?
There are so many places you can get Melbourne Cup tips, so you are truly spoiled for choice. If you are looking to bet on the Melbourne Cup, then it is recommended that you look around at a number of different online resources, and remember that the favorite doesn’t always win!
Does the starting barrier of a horse matter in the Melbourne Cup?
In short, yes. But the barrier draw of a horse should be just one of many aspects you should consider if looking to bet. There are some barriers you should avoid, for example barrier 18, as this was the only barrier to never produce a winner, up until the 2021 race. If you think about the fact that the Melbourne Cup has been on every year since 1861, then that’s pretty impressive. The 2021 winner, Verry Elleegant was originally supposed to start from barrier 19, but a scratching meant she moved into barrier 18.