The true Australian national anthem is about a swagman who stole a sheep (Waltzing Matilda). Australia's most highly revered political hero is an armour-clad Irish outlaw who took on the establishment single handed (Ned Kelly). And Australia's most hallowed day is reverently set aside to celebrate a horse race that has revved up the entire country's psyche for 145 years and has become 'the race that stops a nation'.
Although horse racing is the sport of kings, in Australia it's a sport for everyone. In a nation that prides itself in being egalitarian, CEOs to street cleaners are equally welcome at the racetrack.
'The Cup' is a consuming passion, a party, a sport, an event, an escape, a hoot, a holiday, a glamour-fest and a chance to strike it rich ... all rolled together.
Every office in Australia hosts a Melbourne Cup sweepstake, schools down pens and sports clubs from golf to lawn bowls get in on the act.
Even Australians whose knowledge of horse racing would fit on the back of a betting ticket place their once-a-year wagers and go out of their way to watch the race at Flemington. 'What other horse race in the world is a gazetted public holiday?' says Colin Jesse, an Australian businessman and racehorse owner living in Hong Kong.
Besides overseas jockeys, horses, owners and trainers upping the stakes, Diana Ross, Greg Norman, Lleyton Hewitt, Chris Isaak and former Miss Universe, Jennifer Hawkins, will be among the 100,000 plus people who will attend this year.
