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Hats at the ready, because on November 5, Australia stops to celebrate Melbourne Cup Day! As part of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival, this day showcases the biggest and most prestigious horse race in Australia - the Melbourne Cup. Dating back to 1861, it is filled with tradition, drama, fashion, and of course, a beautifully intense race that keeps millions around the country and world spellbound. Whether dressing up for a fashion-forward event, or simply joining friends for a barbeque to watch this great race, Melbourne Cup Day promises to be an exhilarating ride of fun, elegance, and excitement. Giddy up indeed!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1861</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Inaugural Melbourne Cup Race</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first Melbourne Cup horse race took place at Flemington Racecourse. The winning horse was Archer.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1873</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Public Holiday</div><div class='timeline-text'>Melbourne Cup Day was declared a public holiday in Melbourne metropolitan area by the Victorian Government.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1915</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Women Allowed in Birdcage</div><div class='timeline-text'>Women were finally allowed to enter the birdcage - a prestigious area for horse owners, trainers, and their associates - adding glamour to the event.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1972</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Embracing Fashion</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Fashion on the Fields competition was launched to attract more women to the race, turning Melbourne Cup Day into a fashion extravaganza.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1993</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First International Winner</div><div class='timeline-text'>Irish-trained racehorse, Vintage Crop, became the first international horse to win the Melbourne Cup, turning the race into a truly global event.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2020</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>The Race that Reunites a Nation</div><div class='timeline-text'>After a challenging year of bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic, the Melbourne Cup served as a symbol of unity and resilience for Australians.</div></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Host a fashion betting game</h3><p class='facts-text'>Melbourne Cup Day isn't just about the races, it's also about fashion. Have some fun with your friends by betting on specific elements of the attendees' outfits such as the most flamboyant hat, the quirkiest tie, or the most glamorous dress.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Write and perform race-themed poetry</h3><p class='facts-text'>Get creative and write some horse racing-related verse. A playful poem can be a great conversation starter and provide some entertainment during the commercial breaks.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Arrange a DIY fashion parade at home</h3><p class='facts-text'>In honour of the fashionable tradition, host your own fashion show at home. Have everyone dress to impress and strut their stuff in your living room. Award prizes for the best dressed!</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Cook a fancy feast fit for the races</h3><p class='facts-text'>Since Melbourne Cup Day is all about extravagance, why not mirror that in your food? Try your hand at some gourmet recipes and enjoy a feast fit for the racecourse.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Organize a “Horsey” scavenger hunt</h3><p class='facts-text'>For some extra thrill, organize a “horsey” scavenger hunt by hiding small horse-related trinkets around your home or party area. Give out the clues and let the games begin!</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Exciting Horse Racing</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Melbourne Cup Day is all about the thrill of horse racing. The intense competition and suspense keeps us hooked till the very end, with spectators anxiously waiting to see which horse will cross the finish line first!</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Fashion Extravaganza</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Melbourne Cup Day also doubles as a fashion event. The flamboyant hats, glamorous dresses, and quirky ties add a touch of elegance and fun to the occasion. Participating in a DIY fashion parade at home or betting on the most fashionable outfits adds to the day's fun!</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Fun Activities and Socializing</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Whether it's hosting a horse-themed scavenger hunt, writing race-themed poetry, or cooking a fancy feast, Melbourne Cup Day is filled with various fun activities. It's a great opportunity to socialize, have fun with friends and family, and create unforgettable memories.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Melbourne Cup Day is Known as the "Race That Stops a Nation"</h3><p class='facts-content'>This tagline was coined because of the widespread attention the race draws across Australia. The entire country seems to come to a standstill at race time.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Australia's Richest Horse Race</h3><p class='facts-content'>With a prize pool of over 8 million AUD, the Melbourne Cup is the richest two-mile handicap in the world.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Property Boom Sparked by Melbourne Cup</h3><p class='facts-content'>In 1861, only a few weeks after the first Melbourne Cup race, gold was discovered on the land of a direct descendant of the winning horse, which lead to a property boom in Australia.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Female Jockeys in Melbourne Cup</h3><p class='facts-content'>Although women competed as trainers and owners for many years, they were not allowed to participate as jockeys until 1979. The first female jockey to win the race was Michelle Payne in 2015, riding Prince of Penzance.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Record-Setting Melbourne Cup Win</h3><p class='facts-content'>The biggest winning margin ever recorded in the Melbourne Cup was eight lengths, set by Archer in the inaugural race. Since then, this record has only been equalled once by Rain Lover in 1968.</p></div></div>
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