travelling and stitching: Spring Racing Carnival

Today is Melbourne Cup Day. It's part of the Spring Racing Carnival held every year in Victoria and Melbourne Cup is always on the 1st Tuesday in November. It's touted as "the race that stops a nation" and it pretty well does. Every punter, both the "once in a year" mugs like me & the more serious ones have a bet. It's a public holiday in the city and surrounds & I doubt there'd be a person in Victoria who doesn't stop to watch the Cup or Australia, for that matter, probably the world..... It's an exciting spectacle.
It's broadcast all over the world and this year we have Prince Charles & Camilla as guests. Of the 24 runners in the cup which is run over 3200 metres, 22 of them are from the Northern Hemisphere. It seems to be the one race everyone wants to win. I read where the day brings around $400 milllion dollars into Victoria's economy with retail, hospitality, tourism all benefiting.

The race is at Flemington race track and the ground staff have the place looking magnificent. Well known for its beautiful roses, they work hard to get them at the optimum for Cup day.
The races at Flemington go for a week, starting last Saturday with Derby Day, Tuesday is Melbourne Cup Day, Thursday is Oaks Day, otherwise known as Ladies Day & Saturday is Emirates Stakes Day.
As well, during the carnival there are numerous races at country racetracks and lunches, parties & celebrations everywhere.
I sometimes think the horses come second to the fashions......

As per my usual form, I didn't win any money on the Cup....I did, however pick the winner but I put my money in a trifecta & the other two were nowhere near the finish line.

Anyway, my daughter Rebecca (Bec) & some of her friends have travelled down to Melbourne to join in the fun & festivities.......and to shop, find exciting eateries, drink good wine & generally have a girlie few days.

Here's a couple of pic's.........

Derby Day.......the tradition for Derby Day fashions is black & white.....

Bec & Tanya.....Tan works for radio station, Nova & they had a marquee on Derby Day