The Melbourne Cup is the biggest race in Australia and is the richest handicap race in the world. Attracting over 100,000 people to Flemington each year, the Cup is worth an impressive $5.5 million in prize money. Run over the extended length of 3200m, the Melbourne Cup is an open handicap held on the first Tuesday of November. Due to the handicap conditions, the top weight cannot by less than 57kg. Because of its challenging length, the race has become an international sensation with plenty of countries stopping to watch the race at 3pm.
The best lead-up races to the event include the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) and the Group 2 Moonee Valley Cup (2500m). Although there are some horses which do compete in several major races during the carnival, many horses will also rest up before the Cup day and consequently spectators cannot use the lead-up races as a guide to each horse?s performance.
Melbourne Cup Info: |
|
Date: |
First Tuesday in November |
Track: |
Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne |
Distance: |
3200m |
Race Type: |
Handicap |
Status: |
Group 1 |
Prizemoney: |
$5,500,000 & $150,000 in trophies |
Melbourne Cup History:
The Melbourne Cup was first raced in 1861 and was won by the historic Archer. With over 140 years of history, Melbourne Cup spectators have witnessed some of the greatest races in Australia as well as meeting legendary trainers such as Bart Cummings and John deMestre. The Caulfield Cup/Melbourne Cup double is a huge event and is regarded as one of the toughest challenges to beat. The following horses have managed this great feat: Poseidon in 1906, The Trump in 1937, Rivette in 1939, Rising Fast in 1954, Even Stevens 1962, Galilee in 1966, Gurner?s Lane in 1982, Let?s Elope in 1991, Doriemus in 1995, Might and Power in 1997 and Ethereal in 2001.
Melbourne Cup Records: |
|
Fastest Winning Time: |
3:16.3 by Kingston Rule in 1990 |
Widest Winning Margin: |
8 Lengths by Archer in 1862 and Rain Lover in 1968 |
Trainer Most Wins: |
12 ? Bart Cummings (1965, 1966, 1967, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1990, 1991, 1996, 1999, 2008) |
Horse Most Wins: |
3 ? Makybe Diva (2003, 2004, 2005) |
Jockey Most Wins: |
4 ? Bobby Lewis (1902, 1915, 1919, 1927) and Harry White (1974, 1975, 1978, 1979) |
Recent Melbourne Cup Winners:
Year |
Winner |
Second |
Third |
Time |
| 2008 |
Viewed |
Bauer | C?est La Guerre | 3:20.40 |
| 2007 |
Efficient |
Purple Moon | Mahler | 3:23.34 |
| 2006 |
Delta Blues |
Pop Rock | Maybe Better | 3:21.50 |
| 2005 |
Makybe Diva |
On A Jeune | Xcellent | 3:19.17 |
| 2004 |
Makybe Diva |
Vinnie Roe | Zazzman | 3:28.55 |
| 2003 |
Makybe Diva |
She?s Archie | Jardine?s Lookout | 3:19.90 |
| 2002 |
Media Puzzle |
Mr Prudent | Beekeeper | 3:16.97 |
| 2001 |
Ethereal |
Give The Slip | Persian Punch | 3:21.08 |
| 2000 |
Brew |
Yippyio | Second Coming | 3:18.68 |
| 1999 |
Rogan Josh |
Central Park | Lahar | 3:19.64 |
| 1998 |
Jezabeel |
Champagne | Persian Punch | 3:18.59 |
| 1997 |
Might And Power |
Doriemus | Markham | 3:18.33 |
| 1996 |
Saintly |
Count Chivas | Skybeau | 3:18.80 |
| 1995 |
Doriemus |
Nothin? Leica Dane | Vintage Crop | 3:27.60 |
| 1994 |
Jeune |
Paris Lane | Oompala | 3:19.80 |
| 1993 |
Vintage Crop |
Te Akau Nick | Mercator | 3:23.40 |
| 1992 |
Subzero |
Veandercross | Castletown | 3:24.70 |
| 1991 |
Let?s Elope |
Shiva?s Revenge | Magnolia Hall | 3:18.90 |
| 1990 |
Kingston Rule |
The Phantom | Mr Brooker | 3:16.30 |
| 1989 |
Tawrrific |
Super Impose | Kudz | 3:17.10 |
| 1988 |
Empire Rose |
Natksi | Na Botto | 3:18.90 |
| 1987 |
Kensei |
Empire Rose | Rosedale | 3:22.00 |
| 1986 |
At Talaq |
Rising Fear | Sea Legend | 3:21.70 |
| 1985 |
What A Nuisance |
Koiro Corrie May | Tripsacum | 3:23.00 |
| 1984 |
Black Night |
Chagemar | Mapperley Heights | 3:18.90 |
| 1983 |
Kiwi |
Noble Comment | Mr Jazz | 3:18.90 |
| 1982 |
Gurner?s Lane |
Kingston Town | Noble Comment | 3:21.20 |
| 1981 |
Just A Dash |
El Laurena | Flashing Light | 3:21.20 |
| 1980 |
Beldale Ball |
My Blue Denim | Lover Bandit | 3:19.80 |
| 1979 |
Hyperno |
Salamander | Red Nose | 3:21.80 |
| 1978 |
Arwon |
Dandaleith | Karu | 3:24.30 |
| 1977 |
Gold And Black |
Reckless | Hyperno | 3:18.40 |
| 1976 |
Van Der Hum |
Gold And Black | Kythera | 3:34.10 |
| 1975 |
Think Big |
Holiday Waggon | Medici | 3:29.60 |
| 1974 |
Think Big |
Leilani | Captain Peri | 3:23.10 |
| 1973 |
Gala Supreme |
Glengowan | Daneson | 3:19.50 |
| 1972 |
Piping Lane |
Magnifique | Gunsynd | 3:19.30 |
| 1971 |
Silver Knight |
Igloo | Tails | 3:19.50 |
| 1970 |
Baghdad Note |
Vansittart | Clear Prince | 3:19.70 |
