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 * Introduction: **

The Melbourne Cup is Australia's major horse race, which involves betting and competition to gain money. The Race is held over a distance of 3,200 meters. The event is held at around 3 pm on the first Tuesday in November, at the Flemington Race course in Melbourne. The race began in 1861. The race was originally 3,218 metres in the 1970 then got changed to 3,200 meters, like it is today, which was established in 1972.


 * Winnings: **

Entries for the Melbourne Cup are normally closed on the first week of August. The initial entry fee is $600 per horse. About 300 to 400 horses are nominated each year, 24 horses are allowed on at once, to race. The first ten horses that past the winning post receive prize money, with the 1st place winner getting $3.3 million. 5 percent of the earnings go to the jockey, 10 percent of the earnings goes to the trainer and finaly the rest of the earnings goes to the owner of the horse.

(Jockey) 5 percent = $165,000 (Trainer) 10 percent = $330,000 (Owner) 85 percent = $2,805,000


 * Early Years ** :

Seventeen horses contested the first Melbourne Cup on Thursday 7 November 1861, the jockeys back then would race for £710 (1,154,21 AUD ), and a gold watch, the winner takes all of the winnings. In order to get more people attracted to the race, the first secutary of the Victorian Racing Club, Robert Bagot. Decided to issue members to ladies tickets. Calculating that " were ladies went men would follow ". A large crowd of 4,000 men and women watched the race. Although it was suggested that this was less than expected, because the news about the death of the famous explores [|Burke and Wills] reached Melbourne five days earlier.

** Trophies: **

The present trophie is made up of 34 peices of gold and metal, which are both beated together for over 200 hours. As of 2008, the trophy value increased and the Cup now contains 1.65 kg of 18-carat gold valuing the trophy at $125,000 dollars. The winning trainer and jockey also receive a miniature replica of the cup. The appearance of the trophie changed, with several features being changed, for E.g. imprinted horses, two ornate handles with a horse and rider on top.