In a country that prides itself on its passion for sport and for having a good time, Australia's most famous annual sporting event and its biggest social occasion come together on one momentous day. The Melbourne Cup, run at Flemington on the first Tuesday of November, has a unique place in Australia's culture, and is embraced around the world. Mark Twain described it as The great astonisher. The Story of the Melbourne Cup; Australias Greatest Race, commissioned by the Victoria Racing Club for the Cups 150th running, gives an absorbing account of the narratives, the horses and humans who have forged the history of Australias greatest thoroughbred race.
It explains why so many people dream of winning the Melbourne Cup and how the mystique power to change peoples lives.
The Story of the Melbourne Cup: Australias Greatest Race uses rare footage and more than 50 interviews to document the Cups dramatic sagas, bringing to life the deeds of legendary horses Carbine, Phar Lap and Makybe Diva, recalling the fairytales and hard luck stories, the fashion statements and controversies that have impacted on the Australian way of life. The Story of the Melbourne Cup: Australias Greatest Race provides a magical insight into why the Cup is part of being Australian.