The Race that stops a Nation

The Melbourne Cup is billed as being the race that stops a Nation as the entire continent shuts down for at least the afternoon if not the entire day of the race. Well, everywhere except this school. It doesn't close/stop for anything.

Well, after the last four years, this title is more then true. From 2003-05 the same horse won the race (Makybe Diva). Unlike the Triple Crown back there, the Melbourne Cup is not limited to a particular age group, in fact you have be at least 3 to run. Makybe Diva won when she was 5, 6, & 7. She is now retired from racing and making her owners a truckload of money, not including the 14+ million she won while racing. Yes, I know there are a lot of costs associated with getting a horse to that level much less being able to keep her at that elite level. I'm just giving background info .

Anyway, she caused upsets the last 3 years, (she wasn't expected to win the first time much less repeat). This year was yet another MAJOR upset. The jockey who rode Makybe Diva rode the 'winner' or well the expected winner. He placed at least. He finished 3rd with his 'new horse'.
That wasn't the real shock.

It looks like all the top trainers are going to start learning Japanese. The Melbourne Cup is headed to Japan in another couple of days. Once all the media interviews are completed here. Two Japanese teams came 1-2.

All in all it was a very interesting day. Last year I couldn't partake in any of the activities as I was in class all day, but yesterday I didn't have class until 4. Unlike the Triple Crown which is run at suppertime the Cup here is run at 2 in the afternoon. Melbourne in November is sort of like Ontario in late April/early May. It's nice but sill a little cool. So running in the middle of the afternoon isn't too stressful on the animals in terms of the weather.

So like I said. This year was yet another year which lived up to it's title of being the race that stops the nation.