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Interactive: how fast in a Melbourne Cup winner?
2.42pm AEST
2.28pm AEST
Were 30 or so minutes out from the Melbourne Cup and already there is over $34 million invested nationwide in the win pool alone. And that will swell considerably before race time.
Admire Rakti has finally attracted some support and is the $5.50 favourite, Fawkner, Protectionist and Lucia Valentina are all solid on the second line of betting at around $7 while Mutual Regard remains at $9 after this mornings strong support.
2.16pm AEST
2.15pm AEST
Speaking of men in hats, its time for Melissa Davey to check back in.
Im back in the Nursery carpark to see the finished products of the marquees being set up. I spoke to Brett Ould and Rick Lansdown this morning and now theyre fully suited up and about to serve guests with roast beef and gravy, salmon wrapped in bacon, risotto, sushi, king prawns and lamb sausages.
Steve Brown helped the pair set the marquee up and said everyone is having a good time, betting heaps and partying on.
2.09pm AEST
Seriously, what could I write that adds anything to this photo? Exactly.
1.59pm AEST
Otherwise known as the Race Before The Melbourne Cup, this contest can either help you build a bankroll for the big race or deplete what remaining funds you had left. Another shorty here in Wine Tales, while Sea Spray is being quite well backed. The money trail hasnt been much of a guide today so Ill have a penny each-way on 20/1 shot Shacarde, who wasnt too far behind Sea Spray last start.
1. Hijack Hussy
2. Sea Spray
3. Coachella
4. Wroclaw
1.54pm AEST
This picture genuinely came through on the Guardian picture library tagged under Sunglasses, hipster beard, drinking.
1.46pm AEST
Serious question. What is the ideal time to play Wonderwall? The Guardians Brigid Delaney is on the case and reckons 1.46pm is way too early. I agree -1am after seventeen drinks is probably the earliest Id go for.
In the Village they r playing Wonderwall. "There are many things I would like to say to you but I don't know how!" TOO EARLY FOR WONDERWALL
1.42pm AEST
Billionaire Geoffrey Edelsten and Gabi Grecko, a couple who you may remember from every red carpet event since the opening of the Tower of Babel in 5678BC, have got engaged. In front of media and celebrities it says here. And now you, dear reader.
1.36pm AEST
Melissa Davey has overheard some strange conversations around Flemington today. This may be the best:
Overheard at #melbournecup "And I said to him, "You better bring me a jar of pickles when you pick me up from the airport."
1.31pm AEST
Losing on the punt does make you do strange things ...
1.29pm AEST
Not to be outdone, Melissa Davey has filed this from the Rose Room:
Wayne Gunn works the door of the Rose Room, which he describes as the place for people with a lot of money.
People try to talk their way in, and the most common method is saying their partner is in here. I I had a group before try to talk their way in and when I said you have to pay $1500, they walked away.
1.22pm AEST
Heres more from Brigid Delaney, Guardian Australias intrepid reporter at Flemington.
Now at the Village. As one attendee describes it its for prawn eating corporates. What a frightening image!! This Village has a wealthy person retirement village vibe. We are seated at tables in primary colours & drinking fizzy drinks through straws. There are massive hats & men with expensive sunglasses.
The atmosphere is peaceful, almost sleepy - like something from English TV show Doc Martin. This is the area where companies entertain clients. Business mixes with pleasure, mixes with champagne. Will it end well or will it end like an episode of Doc Martin - wheres the been a murder in the Village & we are all suspects?
1.14pm AEST
Intoxicating name for a race. Law, from the ubiquitous Chris Waller stable, is a short-priced favourite for this 1000m scamper. But Ill peel a bit from my rapidly dwindling wad and place it on Risen From Doubt.
1. Risen From Doubt
2. Rough Justice
3. Alaska
4. Reigning Meteor
1.06pm AEST
1.03pm AEST
12.57pm AEST
Bart Cummings, the trainer whos won a record 12 Melbourne Cups, now trains in partnership with his grandson James. They are represented today by Precedence, a greybeard who is running in his fourth Melbourne Cup.
Bart, now 86 years of age and not in the best of health, is at Flemington today as a guest of the VRC.
12.56pm AEST
Celebrity watch! Cadel Evans shuffles off his bike for a while to take in a spot of racing.
12.53pm AEST
Over the past five days, the top three trending Melbourne Cup contenders are Admire Rakti, Protectionist and Red Cadeaux. Last years winner, Fiorente, was one of the top three twitter horses. Make of that what you will.
12.43pm AEST
In Victoria, everyones a winner on Melbourne Cup day.
12.39pm AEST
12.38pm AEST
Its a very warm welcome to Helen Barratt:
As a counsellor I must back Mutual Regard, as an ex IT professional I like Signoff, as a mathematician and sushi lover I will also back the Japanese favourite Admire Rakti each way and as an environmentalist I have to bet on Protectionist. So thats my annual $5 Melbourne Cup bet worked out.
12.28pm AEST
There are two horses dominating the market for this race for five-year-olds over seven furlongs, The Quarterback and Spy Decoder. Both have an undeniable chance, but neither represents much value. Ill go with Baligari to spring a minor upset.
1. General Groove
2. Spy Decoder
3. Gracious Prospect
4. Bon Rocket
12.23pm AEST
The Caulfield Cup winner Admire Rakti is on the drift about two and a half hours out from the race. The Japanese galloper is holding favouritism on fixed-odds betting at $6, but on the pari-mutuel hes out to $7.20 - barely 40c shorter than Fawkner and 50c shorter than Lucia Valentina. So theres good local support for the Australian horses in the face of another strong international challenge.
12.18pm AEST
12.15pm AEST
12.13pm AEST
Rather than spending money supporting animal cruelty, donate to @banjumpsracing or @AnimalsAus #MelbourneCup
12.12pm AEST
Anytimes a good time for Alan Partridge, but here is the odd one on ... horse racing.
12.05pm AEST
12.01pm AEST
Welcome back to the live blog, Guardian Australias Brigid Delaney.
Mana sasamori, a fashion writer from Tokyo (Figaro Japan), took the train into the races today from flinders street.
Her views on race day fashion: Ive never seen so many well dressed people on the train. In Japan - even for a special day - we never wear hats. They were very interesting. Some hats are not like hats they are like arty objects - some hats have like a tree branches growing out of them, others are like birds with all the feathers. Traditional hats are big but these ones are so modern - and getting smaller and smaller. So glamourous! And unexpected! I knew on Melbourne cup people get dressed up but this is much more than I expected. When they talk to guys in these hats they must have to be careful. It could hit them!
11.58am AEST
Geelong Mayor and the lovely Elissa Friday at the Emirates Marquee. pic.twitter.com/rNy8NeuLoF
11.48am AEST
Here we go for the poor mans Melbourne Cup, a race run over 2800m and populated by steeds connections wish were good enough to get into the big race. The betting is dominated by Gai Waterhouses Order Of The Sun and Grand Marshal, trained by Chris Waller. Ill be with the former, wholl give a great sight from the front.
1. Grand Marshal
2. Renew
3. Distillation
4. Waltzing To Win
11.44am AEST
The one day in Melbourne when all men dress like they're defending themselves in court. #MelbCup #melbournecup
11.40am AEST
As Melissa Davey points out below, the best kind of fun at Flemington today is responsible fun.
There are a whole lot of barbecues in The Nursery and Joel Field and Danni Blackwell, from ABE Fire Services, aim to prevent blazing drunken accidents.
We go around and check all gas bottles on barbecues, Field says.
11.36am AEST
Is it possible to have too much Denis Napthine? I think not.
VIDEO: Premier's #MelbourneCup tips @FlemingtonVRC #SpringSt https://t.co/vx0OVy0Dfe
11.34am AEST
The past five winners of the Melbourne Cup had (at least) one thing in common: testicles. Entires going around today are Admire Rakti, Protectionist, Gatewood, Au Revoir, Lidari and Araldo. The most recent mare to win the race was Makybe Diva in 2005.
11.25am AEST
In the exquisitely named Rose Room at Flemington, heres Guardian Australias Brigid Delaney:
Stationed now in the Rose Room - an undercover, massive marquee where you can bet, booze & eat a 6 course meal. Not quite 11am and waiters are ferrying heaving trays of champagne around to guests - many of whom are here on a corporate ticket. My favourite thing here is the bathrooms. A woman in there will give you a hair and make up refresher - or in my case do your hair and make up from scratch. An angry queue formed behind me with one woman accusing me of cheating with the touch up service . Its for a story! I replied. For the blokes there is a shoe shine service & you can give them your phone for charging up.
11.22am AEST
If Id known Denis Napthine was going to back Dig A Pony, I might have thought twice about it ...
@Vic_Premier has placed a bet on Dig a Pony in race two, for the punters out there pic.twitter.com/xovxDypmWf
11.19am AEST
11.18am AEST
The Bureau of Meteorology has predicted damaging winds with gusts of up to 100km an hour this afternoon, just as people start to go home from the Melbourne cup. The winds are expected to arrive in Melbourne at around 5pm.
Lets hope racing is done and dusted before the gusts arrive.
11.15am AEST
If you ever wondered about the cleaning process at Flemington:
Nursery cleaning manager on the strangest thing left behind: "I once found a 23-year-old sleeping on a pile of rubbish" #MelbourneCup
11.09am AEST
A very open race for the mares over 1700m. The trend on Derby day favoured horses running on out wide, so it will be interesting to see if that pattern remains today. Im guessing it may well, so Dig A Pony fits the bill for my modest each-way investment at around $5.50.
1. Precious Gem
2. Amanpour
3. Dig A Pony
4. Are There Any
11.06am AEST
"You know what this outfit needs? A fascinator." SAID NOBODY EVER #melbournecup Hope the guardian reimburses me for this headpiece thing.
11.05am AEST
Chad Schofield and Antelucan return to scale after winning race one.
11.01am AEST
Guardian Australias two-pronged at Flemington today, with Brigid Delaney also trackside. Good morning, Brigid.
Its a picture perfect day in Melbourne today . Currently around 21degrees & expected to get to around 28 degrees once the big race is run. Previous cup days have been marred by bad weather - weve all seen those pictures of drink racegoers wearing garbage bags & running for cover. But that shouldnt happen today. Men are wearing light suits with sunglasses while sleeveless dresses & bare legs are popular with women. The VRC (Vic Racing) did ban bare midriffs on derby day though. Good call!
10.58am AEST
Melbourne Cup drinking game: drink every time a lazy reporter refers to women as 'fillies'. Expect to die of alcohol poisoning by noon.
10.57am AEST
Irish visitor Mutual Regard, a last-start winner of the Ebor Handicap at York, is coming in for support to win the Melbourne Cup. Damien Olivers mount is as short as $9 with tab.com.au, with Admire Rakti retaining favouritism at $6. Fawkner also has admirers at $7.50.
10.52am AEST
Off and racing #melbournecup Wearing @dolcegabbana dress and bag, @hatmakeraus and http://t.co/wa3Vj6tKCw
10.51am AEST
Good luck to everyone in the Melbourne Cup today. I'm tipping Fawkner in the race that stops the nation. #MelbourneCup #fawkner
10.44am AEST
Heres another post from Melissa Davey, trackside at Flemington:
Trevor and Fabi Dray throw a party in the Nursery every year for their friends and family as a way of celebrating their wedding anniversary.
I had my bucks party on Cup day, Fabi had her hens party on Oakes Day and we got married on Stakes Day, Dray said.
10.27am AEST
In amongst the fashion and food, there are actually some races happening today.
And the first - a 1000m scamper for two-year-old fillies - is just moments away. Half the field hasnt had a race start yet, but one which has - Mihalic - is holding sway as favourite. Ill have my responsibly small $5 each-way wager on Comprende. Understand?
10.24am AEST
Over to you, Guardian Australias Melissa Davey:
The is is the hottest ticket for the nursery, according to Angelo Conti. Its a European extravaganza, he says. He and Marina Papas, his business partner, have been setting up in The Nursery for the past 10 years. Theyve prepared a menu for 200 guests, and its all self catered.
We have a professional bar and we have so much good we had to hire a van, Papas says.
9.55am AEST
9.36am AEST
Raceday headgear pic by special request from @emilyhopewilson @ Sheraton Melbourne http://t.co/Ie4NGdClmk
9.24am AEST
Guardian Australias Melissa Davey is trackside at Flemington and will be filing throughout the day. Heres her first post:
Its barely 9am at Flemington but Rick Lansdown and his partner, Brett Ould, have been here since just after 7am. Theyre setting up in The Nursery car park, an area dedicated cars and marquees on the outskirts of the race course. Its known as the more flamboyant area to enjoy the races, and has its own TAB and large TV screens to watch the races going on inside.
Lansdown calls his marquee The Barb, named after the 1866 Melbourne Cup winner.
9.14am AEST
Bet you didnt know Hitler was into his horse racing ...
9.09am AEST
Cavalryman, No.2 in the Melbourne Cup, has been scratched from the race. The Godolphin inmate joins Sea Moon out the door, meaning we have a field of 22 to contest the race. There are no emergencies in the Melbourne Cup. The numbers on TAB tickets only go up to 24, you see. The Flemington track has been watered overnight and its rating for the start of the day is a Dead 4. But its a lovely, sunny day in Melbourne and the track will become a Good 3 sooner rather than later. Make sure your cup tip races well on firm going.
9.02am AEST
Hello and welcome to our coverage of Melbourne Cup day at Flemington. Do you need telling how significant this day is to (almost all) Australians? If youre reading this in Australia, probably not. Chances are, right now youre knee deep in a form guide, knee deep in lederhosen (that ones for you, Protectionist fans) getting ready for a day at the races or knee deep in any number of office sweeps (if youve drawn Mr OCeirin, Id be making sure you get at least money back for last place). If youre reading this elsewhere, the Melbourne Cup is a pretty big deal in Oz. Its called the Race That Stops A Nation for a reason. People who for the rest of the year couldnt give a hoot about horse racing will be having their dollar each-way on a horse theyve never heard of, and will never think about again (unless it wins, of course). Its a very significant day in Australian sport and culture. Other big events on the calendar are Christmas Day, the Boxing Day Test (not necessarily in that order of importance), Australia Day, Easter, footy grand finals, and my birthday.
Right, whos your tip for the big race?
9.02am AEST
Scott will be here shortly, in the meantime heres a few things to get you started:
Continue reading...