The Melbourne Cup: The 'biggest racing event on Earth'

Mon, 10/31/2011 - 15:00 — Anonymous It's known simply as the race that
stops a nation. Office workers conduct sweepstakes then go to bars. School
kids gather around television sets. Not even government sits. Some parts of
the country even have a public holiday. Roads are desolate, as Australia
stops for three-and-half minutes to watch the annual running of the Melbourne
Cup.On the first Tuesday in November, 24 thoroughbreds charge 3,200 meters
around Flemington Racecourse for the AU$6 million (US$6.42 million) purse.At
the track, 100,000 race-goers pack the stands, the grounds, corporate
marquees, dressed up and sipping champagne -- a scene replicated at
high-fashion luncheons around the country and around the world. var
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