IT’S three‑and‑a‑bit minutes of drama and intrigue, a torrid, gut‑busting test of horse and rider.
It’s grown from a mere institution, to an international event and one of the most prized races in world turf, one that even Sheikh Mohammed, Aidan O’Brien and Frankie Dettori just can’t seem to win.
It is, of course, the Melbourne Cup, and it says more about Australia than any other thing.
One Tuesday afternoon, men, women and probably the odd baby will stop what they’re doing to watch the 3200‑metre feature, as Flemington takes it annual bow as the centre of the universe.
The 2018 Melbourne Cup will begin at 5pm next Tuesday.
Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations