It's Melbourne Cup Day - the day that stops a nation
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382104)
Rockingham, Australia
November 4, 2019 4:57pm CST
The photo is of endurance horses with Boat Harbour in the background. Boat Harbour is on Western Australia’s south coast and only accessible by four-wheel-drive. The ‘S’ on the horse’s rump stands for Sholto Arabian stud. The stud had three horses entered and all wore big ‘S’s on their rumps.
However, today is Melbourne Cup Day in Australia – the race that stops a nation, as they say. It isn’t a public holiday but most activity will come to a standstill while the race is on. Some of those trackside will be dressed to the nines with humongous hats and dazzling outfits; others will be taking the opportunity to wear outrageous gear and get totally drunk on champagne and cocktails.
Vince will watch the race at golf. There will be a sweep* and no doubt some drinking and eating. I am going to take him in and pick him up afterwards so he doesn’t have to drink and drive.
*A sweep entails everyone paying a small amount to pick a horse in the race. The place-getters will share in the money.
23 people like this
21 responses
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
5 Nov 19
i was actually in Canberra one year on Melbourne Cup day. The office had a pool. We (the two americans) chipped in 10 Aus each.
I won the pool! It was so cool!!
2 people like this
@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Nov 19
@DocAndersen The tickets for the sweep I was in were only $2 each so I couldn't expect too much. That's nice that you were able to buy your wife a gift.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
5 Nov 19
@JudyEv I actually got enough money that I could buy my wife something nice!
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@moffittjc (128835)
• Gainesville, Florida
5 Nov 19
Sounds very much like the Kentucky Derby here in the US. Not a holiday by any sort, but it's a pretty big deal. The race if run on the weekend, so it gives more people a chance to stop what they're doing and watch the race.
Very happy to hear that you are looking out for Vince and not letting him drive after he's been drinking!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128835)
• Gainesville, Florida
5 Nov 19
@JudyEv That was nice of your friend to do that! How far outside of town do you live?
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@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 Nov 19
@moffittjc We are 7 kms (about 5 miles) from Donnybrook where Vince plays golf so it's not really far.
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@LovingMyBabies (85923)
• Valdosta, Georgia
5 Nov 19
Wow that photo is absolutely gorgeous!! I love it! =)
1 person likes this
@LovingMyBabies (85923)
• Valdosta, Georgia
6 Nov 19
@JudyEv I'm not surprised at all!! It's incredible. 
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@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Nov 19
Not really because I'm not really strong enough or fit enough to be able to take care of one any longer. Harness can be quite heavy as are bales of hay and some horses don't have very good manners so can push you around so It's best that I just take photos now.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382104)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Nov 19
I'm not sure what money you mean. I won third in the $2 sweep and got $7 back. That was about the extent of my money.
@wolfgirl569 (135774)
• Marion, Ohio
5 Nov 19
Wishing Vince luck with his picks.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
5 Nov 19
Aussies are so horse crazy!
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