The race that stops a nation, here’s what you need to know about the 2022 Melbourne Cup.
Seasoned punters will know their way around the Melbourne Cup by now, but if you’re an amateur looking to learn the ropes, this guide is perfect for you.
The biggest horse race in Australia, the Melbourne Cup is an annual event taking place at Melbourne’s Flemington Racecourse on the first Tuesday of November. The event is so big that it’s touted to be the richest two-mile handicap in the world that attracts attendants from both Australia and New Zealand, as well as millions of viewers around the world.
The prize money is in the millions, making it one not to be missed.
So what’s all the fuss about?
The premier event is a 3,200 metre course conducted by the Victorian racing club. Restricted to horses that are at least 3 years old, the event is open to both local and international horses. The Melbourne Cup is also known as the Melbourne Cup Carnival and the Lexus Melbourne Cup Day.
The inaugural 1861 Melbourne Cup was won by Archer, to which Makybe Diva won the Cup three times in a row in 2003 to 2005. The jockeys with the most victories are Harry White (1974, 1975, 1978, and 1979) and Bobbie Lewis (1902, 1915, 1919 and 1927). Bart Cummings holds the most victories as a trainer with 12 Melbourne Cup victories (1965 to 2008).
The 2021 Melbourne Cup winner is Verry Elleegant is who will be looking to defend the title in the 2022 Melbourne Cup.
The prize money this year sits at an enviable $8 million.
Melbourne Cup details
Happening on the first Tuesday of November, two weeks after the Caulfield Cup, the gates at Flemington racecourse open at 8.30am with the races starting at 3pm.
The 2022 Melbourne Cup happens on 1 November, with the race itself lasting just over 3 minutes while planning and preparation for it can take months.
There are many ways to enter the Melbourne Cup, with the most common being to purchase a horse already nominated for the race by its owner. Owners can also enter their horse into the ballot system in hopes to get picked to be one of the 24 chosen to run on race day.
Ballot-exempt horses are also allowed to enter the race as are international horses that have been nominated by their trainers.
To participate, horses must meet the following requirements:
- Top weight must carry a minimum of 57kgs
- Minimum weight is 49kgs for 3 year old horses
- Minimum weight for 50kgs for 4 year old horses and older
The 2022 nominations for the Melbourne Cup field can be found on the Victoria Club Racing website.
What to do on Melbourne Cup Day when in Mackay?
An event like no other, it’s a day to be celebrated where the nation comes together to celebrate the glory of horse racing.
If you happen to be in Mackay on 1 November 2022, there’s no better place to celebrate Melbourne Cup Day than at the Seabreeze Hotel. Offering a diverse range of food and beverage to suit everyone, the Seabreeze menu. Amazing foods include a range of pastas such as smoked chicken carbonara, prawn fettucine, lamb and pumpkin risotto, an array of seafood meals, chicken parmigiana, burgers and pizzas. There’s also crumbed chicken, batter fish or bolognaise for the kids which includes ice cream with a choice of sauce topping and 100s and 1000s with every kids meal.
The atmosphere is welcoming and relaxed, giving you the natural feel of The Terrace or the vibrancy of The Boathouse, giving you the space to sit, dine and enjoy the best of the 2022 Melbourne Cup.
Overlooking Lamberts Beach, one of Mackay’s most pristine beaches and best whaling spots, a visit here would mean enjoying the Melbourne Cup in its glory while having the opportunity to spot a whale too.
