By Patrick Avenell
Tomorrow is the 151st running of the Melbourne Cup, Australia’s premier thoroughbred horserace and the world’s premier staying race for runners three years and older.
In keeping with a race known to ‘stop the nation’, businesses in the retail appliance and consumer electronics industry should be aware of several key factors.
Horses will jump at 3pm Australian Eastern Standard Time (incorporating Daylight Saving). That’s 3pm in Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory. In South Australia, the race jumps at 2:30pm; in Queensland at 2pm; in the Northern Territory at 1:30pm; and in Western Australia at 12 midday.
Due to the prevalence of office parties around the Melbourne Cup, readers should be aware that people may be uncontactable around these times in their state.
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Businesses requiring interstate commerce with Melbourne tomorrow should note that Melbourne is shutting down for the whole day, with a public holiday for the city and metropolitan suburbs. Tomorrow is not, however, a public holiday throughout Victoria.
Television coverage of the Cup is on Channel 7 (primary channel only), and regional affiliates (such as Prime).
The betting code for the Cup is Melbourne Race 7 (MR7). It is the first leg of the Daily Double and Quaddie, and the third leg of the Big 6.
While watching the race, keep an eye out for TCL signage. This is the seventh straight year that TCL has been showcased during the Melbourne Cup carnival, through its sponsorship with the Victoria Racing Club (VRC). TCL will again be on show on Thursday, with the Melbourne-based company sponsoring a race on Crown Oaks Day.
Rebecca Judd at Flemington on Derby Day.
Patrick’s Tip
1. Niwot – 23
2. Moyenne Corniche – 18
3. Illo – 14
4. Unusual Suspect – 7