The race that stops a nation will be a little different this year, with the Melbourne-based race needing to take a far different approach to what we’re used to.
It doesn’t get any better than this, the iconic $8 million race is a staple of the calendar and a pillar of the spring racing season. It’s the ultimate test of stamina, raced over 3,200 metres, with the crowd watching on and celebrating down every straight.
With usually close to half of the field for the Melbourne Cup being riders trained outside of Australia and New Zealand, the event has blossomed into a truly global affair. Australia does not have a reputation for breeding genuine stayers, so each year the Melbourne Cup field features more and more internationally bred and trained horses. In recent years, international horses have dominated Melbourne Cup races.
Victorian horse racing has operated behind closed doors since the middle of March due to the coronavirus, apart from a six-week window from June 23 until early August when owners were allowed back on course under strict protocols.
In 2019, Vow and Declare took the major title. Trained by Danny O’Brien, the four year old took the major title ridden by jockey Craig Williams from barrier 21. The 2020 field will be announced Saturday the 31st of October, leading up the big dance the week to follow.
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