Interesting Facts about The Melbourne Cup

First run as a million dollar race in 1985.
First run at the metric distance of 3200 metres in 1972.
The highest weight carried to win the Cup was Carbine with 66kg in 1890. The top weight for 2011 is currently 58kg.
Only five horses in the history of the Melbourne Cup have won the race more than once: Archer, Peter Pan, Rain Lover, Think Big and three times Melbourne Cup winner Makybe Diva.
The Melbourne Cup has seen some massive upsets during its long history. Three horses have won the race at 100/1 odds, including The Pearl, Old Rowley and Wotan. The last horse to win the Melbourne Cup at long odds was Rimfire who won at 80/1 odds in 1948.
The most successful trainer in Melbourne Cup history is Bart Cummings with 13 winners, his last being Viewed in 2008.
The Melbourne Cup field is now set at a maximum of 24 starters with no emergencies. The VRC Derby winner – from the previous month – is exempt from the Melbourne Cup ballot.
Last year 110,253 attended the Melbourne Cup, the record was 122,736 in 2003.

3 NZ Horses are In The Running For The Title

There are 3 kiwi contenders in the Melbourne Cup.

Shamrocker (NZ): A brilliant filly, Shamrocker beat the boys in the Group 1 Australian Guineas and was the first filly in history to win the Australian Guineas/Australian Derby double last season. She is proven up to 2400 metres and gives the impression that she will see out the Melbourne Cup’s 3200 metres. Shamrocker doesn’t carry the best of form into the race but has had her share of bad luck. She has a tough draw with barrier 24 but with only 52 KG she is a chance at good odds.

Tullamore (NZ): A model of consistency, Tullamore has been racing well this spring. His third in the Caulfield Cup was very good after racing just off a hectic speed and staying on well for third. He was beaten by last year’s Melbourne Cup winner Americain in his last start when running a solid second over the 2500 metres at Mooney Valley. He is a tough horse and should have little problem with the distance.

Precedence (NZ): His trainer is the legendary Bart Cummings who has won 12 Melbourne Cups, making him the most successful trainer in the race’s history. Precedence comes into the race with a question mark over his form but he has been aimed at this race all spring. Perhaps an indication to his chances, Bart rang Precedence’s part owner Sir Patrick Hogan to tell him to get to Melbourne as the horse is going really well. He ran eighth last year and cannot be ruled out.