"The Race That Stops A Nation"

The 1st Tuesday in November in Australia isn't election day like it is in the U.S. It's Melbourne Cup Day. It is ALWAYS Melbourne Cup Day and this year is the 150th...
  

"Race That Stops A Nation..."

Now, I didn't really believe that any nation would stop for a horse race until I experienced Melbourne Cup Day. At approximately 3pm on the first Tuesday in November, time stands still down here in Australia. Everyone just stops what they are doing and either listens to the radio or watches the horse race. Cab drivers stop. Grocery stores stop. Schools stop. It's incredible... it's like you are living in The Twilight Zone for a couple of minutes. Your heart pounds with the horses' hooves and you hold your breath until the winner crosses the finish line.

Here's some tidbits about the Melbourne Cup...*

The Melbourne Cup is probably the most popular spectator event in Australia. It is a race for three-year-olds and over, for a distance of 3,200 meters and is held at The Flemington Racecourse. This race is the most prestigious and by far the richest "two mile" handicap race in the world. Total prize money for the 2010 race will be AUD $6,000,000.

The current trophy is made up of 34 pieces of 18-carat gold that is hand beaten for over 200 hours valuing the trophy at $125,000. Race-goers dress up in formal wear and outlandish attire all trying to win the prestigious fashion awards that take place on the lawn. The record crowd for spectators was 122,736 in 2003 and has grown considerably each year. The Flemington Racecourse now requires race-goers to pre-purchase tickets.

Since the whole nation watches the race and not everyone has money down on a horse, I always thought that it would be much more interesting if the owners came up with better names for the announcers to read during the race to make it more interesting for those of us who aren't gamblers. This is how my "imaginary" Melbourne Cup race would go down...

"Okay, ladies and gentlemen the horses are ready to go and THEY'RE OFF! It's Murphy's Law, Skinny Legs, What's the Cow Say, That's What She Said, Hey, Where's My Pie and I've Been Abducted By An Alien, followed by I'm Comin', I'm Comin'... around the first bend it's Peter Piper Picked a Peck of Pickled Peppers alongside No Pictures Please and That's What She Said. Skinny Legs moves up and passes Hey, Where's My Pie and I've Been Abducted By An Alien and That's What She Said. It's Peter Piper Picked a Peck of Pickled Peppers, Peter Piper Picked a Peck of Pickled Peppers, No Pictures Please. Round the last turn vying for first it's Peter Piper Picked a Peck of Pickled Peppers, No Pictures Please, I'm Comin' I'm Comin' and I've Been Abducted By An Alien. Where's My Pie is coming on fast moving past I'm Comin' I'm Comin' and I've Been Abducted By An Alien. Where's My Pie is in the lead and it's... it's... No Pictures Please! WHAT A RACE FOLKS!"

Now that would be a horse race to remember! So, if anyone out there knows any trainers or horse owners who want some unusual names for their upcoming "hopefuls" tell them to give me a call... Hoo Roo! I have to go and make my hat.

*Tidbits are from Wikipedia...