About the Melbourne Cup
Though we don't yet know the confirmed field for this G1 handicap, 2022's edition of the Melbourne Cup is set to return to its carnival ways. Nicknamed 'the race that stops the nation', the Melbourne Cup draws runners and riders from across the world. It's staged at Melbourne's Flemington Racecourse, where the inaugural race (in 1861) was won by Archer. The present incarnation is run over 3,200m each year, with connections competing for a prize of A$8m. Here are two of the top presumed runners...
Some of our favourites this year
Native trainer Gai Waterhouse puts forward Hoo Ya Mal, who won the March Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, and who has so far only been seen in the UK. Another British raider comes in the form of Deauville Legend, who won the Voltigeur Stakes at York's Ebor Festival this August. He was previously a winner at Newmarket, then grabbed second in Goodwood's Gordon Stakes. The Melbourne Cup is open to horses aged three-year-old and up, so 2019's winner, Vow and Declare, is one to keep your eye on, running again for trainer Danny O'Brien.
The Melbourne Cup Carnival
Cup Day is a bank holiday in Victoria, but it's just one day in a week-long carnival. Other highlights include Victoria Derby Day on 29th October, Oaks Day on 3rd November and Champion Stakes Day on 5th November. As the pinnacle of the Australian style calendar, it enjoys live television coverage nationwide, along with visits from several high profile guests. The late Queen Elizabeth II, who had a runner in 1997's edition, came in her capacity as Queen of Australia, and she's this year's style influencer.