Contrary to its name, Australia’s Melbourne Cup Day is a weeklong celebration that includes four major races and showcases the country’s love for horses, fashion, and food. 

Considered one of the richest handicap races in the world, the Melbourne Cup promises winners a total of AUD$8 million in its prize purse, with the best galloper receiving AUD$4.4 million and an 18-karat gold trophy.  

Besides the big race on 01 November at 3 PM, the spectacle also treats fans to other turf competitions and celebrations — namely, the Victoria Derby Day, Victoria Racing Club (VRC) Oaks Day and the Champions Stakes Day.  

Here’s how you can prepare for Cup Day without snags:

• If you’re betting 

From its maiden race until 2017, the Melbourne Cup had held the title of Australia’s wealthiest horse competition. That said, betting has become a significant part of celebrating the Melbourne Cup. The cup is the country’s biggest one-day gambling event, with one punter betting AUD$65,000 on second-placer Incentivise in 2021, per the Totalisator Agency Board (TAB). 

If you’re betting for fun, you can always place the lowest bets on your favourite horses. But you must first learn more about horse racing by subscribing to sites and video-sharing platforms like this YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/PuntersAustralia. These resources provide you with expert advice so you can place your bets wisely.    

Here are a few ways you can do to improve your skills and increase your chances of wagering on the right contender:  

• Build your knowledge 

Keeping tabs on a horse’s performance history is a great way to improve your punting skills. But you have to learn the basics of wagering first. In these instances, it’s helpful to check out several betting sites to see if they published a Melbourne Cup Punters guide to get the right information before wagering. 

• Analyse the Melbourne Cup field 

After the Victoria Derby Day on 29 October, the 24 horses running for the highly anticipated race will be announced. Organisers pick these thoroughbreds based on their performances in the other races, including the Cox Plate and the Caulfield Cup. 

These gallopers make up the final field for the Melbourne Cup, and any of the runners from this list have a good chance of winning it all. Take time to study each contender and choose the strongest candidate.

• If you’re going to the racetrack 

From 2005 to 2015, there were over 100,000 spectators for the Melbourne Cup, according to organisers from the Victoria Racing Club. In 2007, the Club imposed a 120,000 limited-seating capacity for live race viewers at the Flemington Racecourse for better crowd management. Because of this limit, you’ll need to secure your ticket as soon as the VRC releases them.

• Get a ticket as soon as possible

The VRC started selling tickets for the 2022 Melbourne Cup to the public as early as May, so it’s always best if you book them early to watch the action and experience the festivities as they happen. 

• Ready your fanciest clothes and hats     

Besides the parade and the race, sponsors for Australia’s most prominent racing event treat racegoers with impeccable hospitality. You can find marquees across the vast field overflowing with food and cocktail beverages. That said, one should follow the dress code to enter the race tracks, as you can expect famous personalities to grace the event. 

Men must wear suits, and women should wear their best cocktail dresses adorned with big or bold hats. The Melbourne Cup is all about flashy clothing, while the Derby Day’s motif is black and white. Oaks Day, also called Ladies Day, highlights fun, flirty and floral dresses.     

A 2021 survey revealed that average individual spending for the Melbourne Cup reached AUD$179, with AUD$88 wagered on bets and AUD$91 for food, fashion and fun. 

• If you’re celebrating off the tracks

As with other festivities, you’ll find skipping the celebrations a bit challenging as the Melbourne Cup fever starts sweeping the country weeks before the event. As has been the tradition since 1877, Melbourne Cup Day is a state holiday in Victoria. Elsewhere in the country, Australians participate in the Carnival by setting up spaces where people can socialise and have fun.   

• Check for local celebrations

Celebrating the Melbourne Cup isn’t exclusive to Victorians. Outside the state, other people gather in specific areas to have fun. For example, the Gold Coast City in Queensland, located more than 1,000 miles away from Melbourne, is preparing the Aqui Park Event Centre for Cup revellers.

To duplicate the experience, partygoers will have access to the live airing of the race. They can also bet, wine and dine, and participate in fashion luncheon competitions.

• Organise a party at home or in the office

The Melbourne Cup race will be aired live on select television stations or streamed online. Watch it with your colleagues or relatives and prepare your drinks, food and betting tickets.  

Conclusion

Melbourne Cup Day is Australia’s most celebrated event on the horse racing calendar. Whether you’re betting, watching the action live or staying at home or in the office, there are always reasons and ways to join the festivities. Whether you’re celebrating on the tracks or watching with friends and family at home, you can always make your Melbourne Cup experience fun and exciting.