Shocking Cup Day

Today was a big day for Australians - the Melbourne Cup Day. As near as I can determine, this is something like the Kentucky Derby. A two minute horserace that grips the country for the whole day, aka "The race that stops a nation."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melbourne_Cup


What was shocking about this year's event was that a horse named Shocking won the approximately $5 million purse.

Here is how it affected me:

• I worked today instead of yesterday because my co-worker wanted today off for a Cup Day party;
• My manager's radio was tuned in to the day's events; she went home for lunch to watch "the" race on TV;
• I did some banking and the front greeter was dressed for the occasion. Wasn't she sweet to let me take her photo (we had to go outside to do it as photos supposedly aren't allowed inside) and isn't she sweet looking in her Fascinator that she made herself.

Ken said there may have been a few fewer Australians at the base than normal, but otherwise it was just a normal day out there.

You can check out some of the fun photos at the actual event here taken by ABC, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation: http://www.abc.net.au/news/photos/2009/11/03/2731827.htm

Another shocking aspect of the event is highlighted in this alternate viewpoint by a columnist campaigning to end it for good:  http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/stories/s2727909.htm

Alice Springs actually has a horse racing venue and I understand there were many luncheons and other special events there. Too bad I had to work and couldn't go capture more local color! Maybe next year, if the campaign to end it is unsuccessful...