For the first time in three years, the roar of a huge crowd will usher in the most exciting three minutes in Australian sport at 3:00pm (ADST) today as racegoers at the country’s premier racing destination, Flemington Racecourse, lead the nation in cheering home the runners in this year’s $8 million Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m).
This year, British raider Deauville Legend heads TAB markets at $3.50 as he attempts to give his nation a second Lexus Melbourne Cup success, but he faces a number of the best stayers from Australia and around the world including Group 1 winners Duais, Knights Order, Montefilia, Serpentine, Smokin' Romans and 2019 Cup hero Vow And Declare.
Pre-race entertainment
The traditional pre-Lexus Melbourne Cup proceedings and entertainment will captivate racegoers with a Welcome to Country from Uncle Colin Hunter before Melbourne Cup Carnival Ambassador and Olympic champion Ariarne Titmus OAM walks the $275,000 Lexus Melbourne Cup trophy to the Mounting Yard and into the hands of Victoria Racing Club Chairman Neil Wilson.
Legendary Scottish-Australian musician Colin Hay, front man for Men at Work, will then perform a special rendition of the nationally adored track Down Under live in the Mounting Yard.
The 23 Lexus Melbourne Cup jockeys, flag bearers and owners will also join the celebrations and be present in the Mounting Yard for the iconic performance. The pre-race ceremony will conclude with Australian singer-songwriter and swimming sensation Cody Simpson performing the Australian National Anthem.
After the exhilarating racing action concludes and the winner of the 162nd Lexus Melbourne Cup is crowned, Australian indie pop powerhouse Sheppard, whose second single, “Geronimo” spent three weeks at No. 1 on the ARIA Singles Chart and was certified five times platinum, will take to the stage in The Park and be a feature performance in the post Cup telecast on Network 10.
Racing
The 10-race card will also feature the $200,000 Group 3 Darley Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) for two-year-olds and the $200,000 Group 3 The Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes (1400m) for the older mares, as well as three Listed contests.
The race following the Lexus Melbourne Cup has been named the In Honour of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (1400m), a competitive handicap with a full field assembled. Among the runners is the Ben and JD Hayes-prepared Biometric, a winner in front of Her Majesty at Royal Ascot in 2019.
The handicap is one of two races dedicated to our late sovereign, along with the Group 3 Queen’s Cup (2600m) on TAB Champions Stakes Day this Saturday 5 November.
One of the most popular races of the entire Melbourne Cup Carnival, the Resimax Group Subzero Handicap (1400m) strictly for grey horses, will also take place.
The Park
The Park is the ultimate destination for general admission racegoers with the precinct bringing together the best in fashion, food, fun and entertainment.
The Park Live Stage will host an incredible line-up including singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Wafia (1:25pm-2:10pm), New Zealand-based DJs and production duo Sweet Mix Kids (3:10pm-3:45pm), triple ARIA-award winners Sheppard (4:00pm-4:30pm) and Flemington regular, Australian DJ Hot Dub Time Machine (5:15pm-6:15pm).
Melbourne’s favourite foodie hotspots are also represented in The Park, including tasty Mexican street food from Dos Amigos, Asian fusion delights at Hochi Mama and delectable burgers from Goldie Boy Co.
Step back in time by heading to The Pony Bar and Motel, straight out of the 1960s, enjoy an ice cold Furphy at the Furphy Beer Garden or freshen up by testing out the Smirnoff Seltzer Springs.
Fashions on the Field
Myer Fashions on the Field continues its 60th anniversary celebrations in The Park with the Best Dressed and Best Suited categories open to all racegoers from 9:00am, with registrations to close at 10:50am. Every entrant will have the opportunity to showcase their outfit along a curated promenade throughout the Fashion Garden before the Daily Finals for Best Dressed take place at 11:55am and Best Dressed at 1:40pm.
Myer Fashions on the Field judges on Cup Day include Melbourne Cup Carnival Ambassadors Christian Wilkins, Demi Brereton and Aaron Mitchell and Myer Fashions on the Field Ambassadors Tayla Damir and Tim Kano.
The design and creative led categories of the time-honoured competition continue on Lexus Melbourne Cup Day with the judging of the Lillian Frank AM MBE Millinery Award Final from 12:25pm, with the winner announced at 12:45pm. The VRC renamed the millinery award earlier this year in honour of the late Melbourne icon, philanthropist and friend of Flemington, Lillian Frank AM MBE. Judging this prestigious award will be Lillian’s daughter, Jackie Frank, world-renowned milliner, Stephen Jones OBE and Vogue Australia Editor-in-Chief, Edwina McCann.
Community
- The Melbourne Cup Carnival’s Pin & Win campaign has raised nearly $7 million for charities so far and this year will see pins sold across the course for new charity partner, Australian Childhood Foundation. The commemorative pins cost $5 for the Cup pin and $10 for the diamante horseshoe, with all purchasers eligible to enter the draw to win over $130,000 worth of prizes including a brand new 2022 Lexus NX 350h 2WD F Sport Hybrid.
- 23 rural and regional Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour destination representatives will also be on hand at Flemington cheering on their National Sweep allocated horse, with the town which has the Lexus Melbourne Cup-winning horse to be presented with $50,000 to put towards a charity supporting a local community initiative. See below for the final field.
- This year the Melbourne Cup Carnival is also partnering with GIVIT to support the many flood-impacted people and communities around Australia. Throughout Cup Week, racing fans can donate via the dedicated GIVIT website.
To find out more go to Lexus Melbourne Cup Day race day page.
