Tuesday 4th November 2008

Dave on the way into the course at Flemington.

Enjoyed the day but, as a laywoman in terms of racing, my lasting impression will be of the colour and fashion out there for all to see, both female and male. The dresses and hats were a sight to behold!

By the way, thanks to all of our readers - great to know you're looking in, and like the comments.

Jean

New careers after the Melbourne Cup

Two of my selections were later spotted after the race practising for their new careers working round the city centre in Melbourne. Happily a 14-1 winner before the big race had kept us in the clear.

Dave

In the pink

One guy was in a pink suit, another was spotted in a yellow one with yellow top hat to match. Not quite Ascot but all good fun.

Melbourne Cup day

The big day dawns and once again we are blessed with the super weather for a great day's racing. Victory in the big race went to 45-1 outsider Viewed trained by the octogenarian Bart Cummings who was recording an amazing 12th success in the Cup. The winner just held off the late challenge of Bauer one of the English raiders. My final selections, three of them, all blew out as did two by Jean but it was a great atmosphere and we were saved by a 14-1 winner earlier in the afternoon.

This also helped to defray the cost of entrance which was about £27 each. That would not have been too bad but in the 100,000 crowd it was impossible to get near the parade ring or find a place in the stands or near the rails so we saw few horses in the flesh. (pix is of a statue of Makybe Diva, three-times winner between 2003-5) Maybe we should have got there earlier, rather than noon since the first race of the day actually took place at 1020. Great and memorable day though with Royal Ascot-type fashions and top-class racing.