The Race that Stops a Nation – the Melbourne Cup.
Horse racing is referred to as “The Sport of Kings” (Queen Elizabeth II is a ardent follower & owner) Horse racing brings people from all walks of life together placing them on an equal footing.You don’t need to be rich to buy a racehorse as even the cheapest of them is capable of turning out to be a champion –there are many such instances throughout time (dating back to 4500 BC) & the world – horse racing takes place on 6 continents
Some of the world’s greatest races are:the Epsom Oaks & Derby,US Triple Crown (Kentucky Derby, Preakness & Belmont Stakes), Breeder’s Cup, Japan Cup, Arc d’ Triomphe, Dubai Golden Shaheen Cup, Dubai World Cup, Hong Kong Cup, Singapore Cup and Australia’s Melbourne Cup
The 150th running of the Melbourne Cup takes place today at 3pm (1pm Japan time) it is run over 3200 metres and is referred to as “the race that stops a nation” because all people wherever they are throughout Australia will stop work & even school to watch the race on TV or to listen to the race broadcast. Most of them will gamble on it too even if it’s only in a sweep.
This year being its 150th running has attracted horses from various corners of the world: France, New Zealand, Ireland, Britain, Italy, Hong Kong, Japan, UAE & of course Australia. Today’s field, as of this moment, consists of 23 runners. The favourite for the race is the Australian trained “So You Think” which will be hailed the greatest horse racing in the world today if wins the race. It is trained by Australia’s legendary trainer Bart Cummings (82 years old), who has trained the winner of 12 Melbourne Cups (an incredible feat) and on 4 occasions has quinelled (first & second) the race, which by the way he has the chance of doing again today as he also trains Precedence which is a great second choice for the race.
I am a lover of horses & have owned and bred them over a period of some 25 years. I have had an unimaginably wonderful time as I’ve been fortunate enough to breed, own & race horses that have gone on to win races-a thrill that is impossible to describe.
Today I am convinced, as are the bookmakers worse luck, that “So You Think” will win the cup, its win last Saturday was breathtaking –the only doubt, if there is one, is will it run the 3200 metres rightout, though on its racing style I expect it to have no problems. The French horse Americain, Manighar (UK), Maluckyday (Australia), Monaco Consul (NZ) & Descarado (Australia) may fight out the places. Last year’s winner Shocking has drawn gate 24 & will carry 57kgs so I’m leaving it out of the placings.
If I was in Australia I’d have a flutter and try to get the trifecta (1st, 2nd & 3rd) & the first four.(in the correct order) by coupling them all in a box. It is my desire to selected and win the Melbourme Cup trifecta & first four as they usually pay a big dividend and although they look like ithey won’t today there are 23 horses in it & they will all be trying to win the $6 million on offer.
UP DATE: RESULT Viva France
Americain 1st Maluckyday 2nd So You Think 3rd Zipping 4th
Form Guide: http://resources.news.com.au/files/2010/10/31/1225945/881429-sweepstake-wall-chart.pdf
Ken Smith’s School of English Koenji
PS This is a tickler article for Koenji スミス英会話高円寺 students as our next day out is planned for Tokyo’s Fuchu Racetrack – the Japan Cup
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