The Melbourne Cup    

Did you know.....

In 1861, at the first running of the Melbourne Cup, the race club committee could hardly have envisaged the Cup lasting a century and a half and growing to become a significant part of our social and sporting culture.
In front of an estimated crowd of 4000 people, Archer became the first winner of the Melbourne Cup. Victorians, and the wider Australian community, were already displaying their great passion for thoroughbred racing.
Today, the Melbourne Cup is the richest handicap race held in Australia, and the prize money and trophies make it among the richest horseraces in the world.

When is the cup run?

 While the Cup was first run on a Thursday, in 1875 it changed to a Tuesday and has normally been run on the first Tuesday in November each year. In three of the five years during the Second World War (1942, 1943 and 1944) it was held on a Saturday.

 Each year at 3pm (eastern daylight saving time) on the first Tuesday of November, the greatest thoroughbreds from around the world descend upon Flemington to battle it out for a chance at the $6.2 million in prize money and to cement their names into history. Over 3200 metres, every competitor races towards the richest prize in Australian sport and the 18ct solid gold Hardy Brothers trophy valued at $175,000.
On Emirates Melbourne Cup Day, it is the time to be daring – as flamboyant fashion forward racegoers flock to Flemington. It is the day to make your strongest fashion statement with an exotic or outrageous ensemble.
As the jewel in the Melbourne Cup Carnival crown, this iconic day is a heady mix of revelry embraced by local and international visitors set to enjoy spectacular racing, fashion and exquisite hospitality and entertainment, making it an unmissable sporting and cultural event.
The official flower for Emirates Melbourne Cup Day is the yellow rose.

But ladies, if you want a 'safe bet' for a bargain, come and see us at PC and you won't be disappointed!  We have our coffee shop with delicious bikkies and it's generally a quiet day so grab some friends and come and visit!

So from all of us at Photo Continental we hope you have lots of luck tomorrow with the "race that stops a nation" !





History of the Melbourne Cup