With a field of more than 20 horses, and watched at Victoria Racing Club's Flemington Racecourse by over 90,000 spectators The Melbourne Cup is the biggest racing event in the southern hemisphere. Held the first Tue of every November, the race is so important in Australia that race-day is declared a national holiday. The country comes to a standstill as Aussies make their way to the course, or the pub, to watch the big event. A day at the course is the Antipodean equivalent to Royal Ascot, as the rich and famous compete for the most exclusive seats, dressing in their most fashionable clothes. First held in 1861, where the winner was a horse called Archer (that won the following year too, but was not allowed to run in the third race, because the application was received too late) the Melbourne Cup rapidly grew into an Australian institution. Each year a new cup is fashioned. The Melbourne Cup itself is one of four major races held during the week-long Melbourne Cup Carnival - a focal point for the racing fraternity the world over. | 
