Bet The Melbourne Cup
The Melbourne Cup is regarded as one of the most heralded races in the world and is the most prestigious race in Australia. The race is put on every year by the Victoria Racing Club and is held at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia. Run on turf at a distance of 3200 meters or two miles, the purse is currently $6.2 million. Melbourne Cup Day is regarded as a public holiday and the race is one of the most well-attended and popular sporting events in Australia.
The race was held for the first time in 1861 and was originally contested at over two miles – 3219 meters but shortened to the present distance in 1972. Currently, the record is held by superstar Kingston Rule who notched a time of 3.16.30 in 1990.
Bet the Melbourne Cup Online!
Bet the Melbourne Cup or other classic Australian races through one of these recommended racebooks.
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* REMINDER! - you must be of legal age in your state or province to legally wager on thoroughbred or harness horse racing. Please bet responsibly!
Some of the greatest horses in Australian history have won the Melbourne Cup, including the legendary Phar Lap. Once the race became open to horses from other countries in the 1990s, the Melbourne Cup became truly an international affair. Makybe Diva won the race three times from 2003-2005 and in completing the hat trick in 2005 she also became the first mare to win carrying 58kg.
2016 Melbourne Cup Contenders
The 2015 edition of the Melbourne Cup was a historical affaire. With horses representing seven separate countries in the field of 24, the international event had attracted some of the world’s best horses, riders and trainers.
Prince of Penzance was overlooked in the competitive field and was a massive longshot at odds of 100-1. Under jockey Michelle Payne, he traveled strongly throughout the race and tracked the front-runners. He took the lead with 100 meters to go and won by half a length over Max Dynamite and Criterion. Payne became the first female rider to win the Melbourne Cup in the history of the race.
The race was marred by tragedy, however, when Red Cadeux, a three-time Melbourne Cup runner-up, broke down in the race. After an initially positive but guarded prognosis, he was ultimately euthanized.
