Bottoms Up to the Melbourne Cup

The gorgeous photo finish horses fighting to cross the line

It’s Australia’s Kentucky Derby, but this horse race might be a more beloved event than the Derby since it is actually a national holiday and invites a four day weekend for those lucky people living in Melbourne, a three day weekend for those living in the rest of Victoria, and a half day off for the rest of us. The Melbourne Cup is rightly called “the race that stops a nation.” Many claim it is the most prestigious “two mile” handicap horserace in the world. It is held annually on the first Tuesday in November. Out strut the high heels, party dresses, sports jackets, and of course, the signature big hats and fascinators. Well dressed and in good spirits, the Aussies are digging in their wallets, waving their money, and placing their bets.

So, in the spirit of the holiday, Carey sipped on bubbly with work pals at Darling Harbour, while Greg raised his glass at his company’s 10th floor bar overlooking the Harbour (yes, they have their OWN bar in their building…most companies do here).Carey placed the bets and then had to go back up and do another one after a frantic call from Greg because he had a “really good feeling” about his horse. He swore. With four different horses that we strategically picked and were all favorites printed on our betting tickets, the text messaging stopped to watch the race. Annnd, all was lost. Not one of the four horses we bet on was even in the top six! And that friends is why we don’t gamble.

"Viewed," the Australian horse, won by a nose. Literally.