About the Melbourne Cup 2009
The 2009 Melbourne Cup is the highlight of the annual Spring Racing Carnival. Considered one of the finest thoroughbred handicap races in the world, the Melbourne Cup is also an Australian cultural institution and is celebrated as a public holiday in the state of Victoria.
Congratulations to Mark Kavanagh for winning the 2009 Melbourne Cup when Shocking beat crowd favourite Crime Scene at Flemington Racecourse.
The Melbourne Cup is traditionally held at Flemington Racecourse on the first Tuesday in November. The race is run over a distance of 3200 metres and is contested by 3-year old and above thoroughbreds. Over $4 million in prize money is awarded at the Melbourne Cup, making it one of the most lucrative events in flat racing.
History of the Melbourne Cup
According to Melbourne Cup history, the event is one of the oldest horse races still in existence, and was first run in 1861. The owner of the first winner, Etienne de Mestre, won a £170 purse and a gold watch, and went on to win another Melbourne Cup title in 1862.
In 1876 the tradition of running the Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday in November was started, and by 1877 the event enjoyed so much popularity that Melbourne Cup day was declared a public holiday. The race was originally held over a distance of 2 miles, but this distance was changed to 3200 meters (1.988 miles) in 1972.
In 1876 the tradition of running the Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday in November was started, and by 1877 the event enjoyed so much popularity that Melbourne Cup day was declared a public holiday. The race was originally held over a distance of 2 miles, but this distance was changed to 3200 meters (1.988 miles) in 1972.
Latest Melbourne Cup News
2009 Melbourne Cup Preview
Aidan O'Brien hasn't given up on claiming one of the few Group 1 races to have eluded him during his career, and the 2009 Melbourne Cup is likely to see Septimus return to Flemington Park to make a second attempt at winning the Melbourne Cup.
The 2009 Melbourne Cup will hopefully see quarantine issues between Japan and Australia resolved, allowing Japanese thoroughbreds to travel to the event. With British thoroughbreds likely to travel in numbers once again, the addition of the Japanese could produce a true international thoroughbred racing showdown.
The 2009 Melbourne Cup will hopefully see quarantine issues between Japan and Australia resolved, allowing Japanese thoroughbreds to travel to the event. With British thoroughbreds likely to travel in numbers once again, the addition of the Japanese could produce a true international thoroughbred racing showdown.
Horses to Watch at the 2009 Melbourne Cup
Some of the thoroughbreds to watch out for at the 2009 Melbourne Cup include:
Septimus: Septimus found his 58kg top weight too much to handle at the 2009 Melbourne Cup, and kinder treatment by the handicapper could see Aidan O'Brien's entry unleash his true speed and power.
Efficient: 2007 Melbourne Cup winner Efficient has received considerable backing from punters in the 2009 Melbourne Cup ante-post betting markets. The grey has the experience and class to win his second Melbourne Cup, but much will depend on his starting position and handicap.
Septimus: Septimus found his 58kg top weight too much to handle at the 2009 Melbourne Cup, and kinder treatment by the handicapper could see Aidan O'Brien's entry unleash his true speed and power.
Efficient: 2007 Melbourne Cup winner Efficient has received considerable backing from punters in the 2009 Melbourne Cup ante-post betting markets. The grey has the experience and class to win his second Melbourne Cup, but much will depend on his starting position and handicap.
2008 Melbourne Cup Highlights
A large contingent of British racehorses travelled to the 2008 Melbourne Cup looking to raid Australia's biggest thoroughbred race. Much was made of the prospect of Aidan O'Brien's Epsom Derby and Irish St Leger winner, Septimus, who entered the race short-priced but carrying top weight.However, it was not to be for O'Brien, as he watched all three of his entries finish out of the money. Bart Cummings' Viewed emerged as the surprise winner while Luca Cumani's Geelong Cup winner, Bauer, was the highest placed foreign entry in second place. Another Australian entry, C'est La Guerre, finished in third place.
Flemington Racecourse
the official venue of the 2009 Melbourne Cup
Flemington Racecourse is one of the world's premier racing facilities. With a crowd capacity of 120 000, Flemington Racecourse ensures that the races at the Spring Racing Carnival attract record attendances. The racecourse is situated on the banks of the Maribyrnong River and is famed for its rose gardens.The racing track at the Flemington Racecourse comprises a 2312 metre pear-shaped circuit. The circuit features a 1200 metre straight and has a 450 metre run-in. The turf racetrack is used to host both flat and jump races. Flemington Racecourse hosts all the races that make up the Spring Racing Carnival.
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Melbourne Cup Champions
Read all about the legendary Melbourne Cup Champions
2009 Melbourne Cup Betting Guide
The 2009 Melbourne Cup will once again be the betting highlight of the Australian thoroughbred racing season. Bookmakers offer antepost betting markets for the Melbourne Cup all year round.As a handicap race, Melbourne Cup betting offers racing fans an excellent opportunity to place each way bets on a selection of runners.
The 2008 Melbourne Cup proved that handicap and form rather than position in the betting market is the key to picking a Melbourne Cup winner. Rather than blindly following the market, look out for performances in key Melbourne Cup trial races like the Geelong Cup and ensure that selections are not over-weighted for the race. Be sure to look up the live horse racing betting odds before placing a bet.
Melbourne Cup Trivia
- Over 120,000 spectators attended the Melbourne Cup in 2003.
- The record for scoring the most wins of the Melbourne Cup is held by a filly, Makybe Diva, who won three consecutive Melbourne Cup titles.
- In 1930 the Melbourne Cup was won by Phar Lap, considered the greatest racehorse ever to emerge from Australasia.
- The Melbourne Cup has appeared in more than ten guises since a trophy was first awarded in 1861. 'Cups' have included a watch, a plaque, bonds, bowls, cups and chalices. The current trophy is a 3 handled gold cup.
Other Great Horseracing Events
- 2009 Cheltenham Festival
- Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide & Information A win at the Cheltenham Festival is a defining moment in the career of any National Hunt horse, jockey or trainer.
- 2009 Aintree Grand National Race
- The John Smith's Grand National is the most prestigious horse race in the United Kingdom. Run annually at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool on a wintry Saturday in early April, the grade 3 handicap features top racehorses taking on the most challenging racecours
- 2009 Breeders' Cup World Championships
- The 2009 Breeders' Cup World Championships, due to be hosted at Santa Anita Park in October.
- 2009 Irish Grand National Odds | Fairyhouse Easter Festival Racing
- The 2009 Irish Grand National, highlight of the Fairyhouse Easter Festival and of the Irish jump racing calendar.
Top Trainers at the Melbourne Cup
- Aidan O'Brien
- Luca Cumani
- Dermott Weld
- Saeed bin Suroor
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