Green Moon Over Melbourne - Cup Day Round 2

We had such a good time at Cup Day our first year in Australia, we decided to make a return trip to "the race that stops a nation".  It's true.  Victorians don't work on Cup Day, a Tuesday, and every other state goes to work to watch the Cup Day races.

Not sure if this was conveyed previously, but horse racing is huge in Australia.  The Melbourne Cup Carnival is comprised of 4 days of racing spread over a week culminating the Spring Racing Carnival, three months of marquee horse racing events across the nation.

Despite inter mitten downpours, longer lines at the bar, a fuzzy thing on my upper lip, and only one winning ticket, we still had an awesome time.

I take full responsibility for the poor betting strategy, and am still kicking myself over the Cup Race bet.  Last year we bet "either way" on one horse each in every race.  That means you "win" if the horse finishes anywhere in the top three.  Thinking "I got this", we only bet on the horse to win the race this year.  The winnings were directly proportional to the research these two horse racing "fans" had done ... essentially nil. But the decision I regret most is failing to put anything on Green Moon, the winner of the 2012 Melbourne Cup.  Green Moon also happened to be the winner of the Turnbull Stakes, a 2000m race run on the same track just several weeks prior.  Though an early favorite, his odds had increased due to a rigorous schedule and a poor run two weeks prior.  Just a small wager on the horse carrying the trophy bearing our name would have covered the rest of our bets for the day.  What kind of pork chop passes up that bet?

Gotta dress up for this thing.  Bets were placed on when LT would
fall down due to lack of depth perception from fascinator interference.

Race 1.  Scored some decent seats across from the finish line.

The Cup crew.  Matt, LT, me, and Mel enjoying some bubbly to start the day.

LT and Mel sporting fascinators, apparently
required female apparel for any horse race.

These two came prepared to sub in if a horse
was scratched.  Unfortunately they never ran.

Keeping it classy.

That's Prince Charles and Camilla in the white
car.  Love them some royalty round these parts.

Melbourne Cup finish.  Green Moon wins!

Passed this fellow on our way home.  Kinda
felt like we were in an Adam Sandler movie.