The Melbourne Cup legend may be wearing thin, but don’t tell anyone who was at Flemington on Tuesday.
Whether the Melbourne Cup is the race that stops the nation any more, it is still the race that stops Melbourne, the nation’s sporting capital. That makes Flemington on Cup Day not so much a microcosm as a bubble. But it’s a happy bubble, a festive bubble, an ebullient bubble.
Co-trainer Sheila Laxon achieved lasting fame in 2001 when she became the first woman to saddle up a Melbourne Cup winner, Ethereal . Laxon then was something of a national heroine, and notionally is again now, nearly a quarter of a century later. You can choose your own theory about the decline of the Melbourne Cup in the nation’s imagination, if that’s what it is. The change in the nation’s demographics, maybe?
Racing is only ever a mass appeal sport at this time of year anyway. Else times, it’s an insiders’ pursuit. Rich, often famous insiders, yes, who have their own fascination in our culture, but insiders nonetheless.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Melbourne Cup live updates: Melbourne Cup up next at Flemington with record number of female jockeysFour female jockeys have rides in this year's Melbourne Cup, hoping to be the second after Michelle Payne to ride the winner in the 'race that stops the nation'. Follow live.
Read more »
Melbourne Cup live updates: Knight's Choice wins Melbourne Cup at Flemington in photo finishKnight's Choice has caused a boilover at Flemington, winning the 164th Melbourne Cup. Follow live.
Read more »
Melbourne Cup 2024 LIVE updates: Crowds flock to Flemington for Australia’s greatest raceFrom fashion to race analysis and everything in between, follow our rolling coverage of all the action in Melbourne.
Read more »
Melbourne Cup 2024 LIVE updates: Crowds flock to Flemington for Australia’s greatest raceFrom fashion to race analysis and everything in between, follow our rolling coverage of all the action in Melbourne.
Read more »
Melbourne Cup goers arrive at Flemington Racecourse under warm and sunny skiesTens of thousands of racing crowds flock to Flemington Racecourse as Melbourne Cup day gets underway under warm, sunny skies.
Read more »
Brayden Star out of Melbourne Cup running as Sea King powers into famous Flemington race7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Read more »